Our Cabinet has agreed to publish a notice to officially close the council-run nursery at Gamesley Early Excellence Centre.
At a meeting, councillors were told that the nursery continues to operate successfully at the nearby Gamesley Primary School, where it transferred in summer 2023 due to rising running costs.
As part of the final stage of a legal process to make the transfer arrangement permanent, the council will now issue a ‘notice of closure’ giving people 4 weeks to make any views known.
The nursery at the school would remain open throughout this time.
It follows a stage 1 consultation held from 8 September to 24 October 2025 during which time no responses were received to plans to close the council-maintained nursery.
The meeting was told that the academy which now runs the school has successfully applied to the Department for Education to extend its age-range from 4 to 11 years to 3 to 11 years.
If the closure goes ahead, the nursery would officially transfer to the primary school which would take over full responsibility and ensure continued nursery places for the community.
Councillor Simon Mabbott, Cabinet Member for SEND and education, said:
“The nursery has operated very successfully from the school site, sharing the same headteacher, special educational needs co-ordinator and pastoral manager for 18 months.
“We’re keen for this to continue and this formal process is the final stage of ensuring the nursery remains financially stable and provides consistency to children’s learning as they progress through to primary school.”
The report adds that the formal transfer to the academy would mean it is fully integrated into the school community and reduce pressure on other nurseries by avoiding applications outside the area.
Following Cabinet’s decision a further 4-week ‘representation period’ will begin with relevant organisations, groups and individuals between 19 January to 15 February 2026.
A final decision would be expected by the end of August.
We have a duty to ensure there are enough early years places across the county and works with schools, academy trusts, dioceses and partners to ensure the right number of good quality places in the right locations.
For more details see item 8 on the agenda for Cabinet on Friday 9 January 2026 at 10am.