Council launches consultation, raising fears over future of nurseries

By Neil Speight

27th Sep 2021 | Local News

RESIDENTS in Tilbury have expressed concern that as part of cash-strapped Thurrock Council's plans to dispose of assets and cut the cost of running its facilities, two local authority nurseries in the town may be facing closure.

Thurrock Council has today (Monday, 27 September) launched a consultation online to obtain local views on Little Pirates and Neptune nurseries.

Calling on residents to express their views on the services they offer, the council says: "These views will be used to develop proposals on early years provision in Tilbury. The proposals could mean a change in who provides the nurseries or where you could access nursery/early years provision."

The online consultation, which can be accessed via this link runs until Monday, 8 November.

Both nurseries offer provision to look after children aged from four months to five years-old.

Little Pirates, which caters for 60 children, is located on Northview Avenue and Neptune, which can take 66 tots, is on London Road.

The most recent Ofsted report for Little Pirates says: "Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the nursery. Children of all ages are happy and confident, owing to the good relationships they form with staff."

And Neptune was praised in its latest report with inspectors saying: "Children clearly thrive and make excellent progress across all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Staff value diversity and are highly successful in ensuring that children's uniqueness and individuality is recognised and that all are well integrated and achieving their potential."

Little Pirates employs 19 staff and opens Monday to Friday, for 50 weeks of the year - as does Neptune where there are 14 childcare staff.

Both nurseries are rated 'Good' overall by Ofsted, with aspects of Little Pirates rated 'Outstanding' for personal development, behaviour and welfare.

The questions that the council is basing its survey report on are

• Do you use any of the following nurseries in Tilbury?

• Do you live in Tilbury?

• Why do you travel into Tilbury to access these nurseries?

• How often do you use the services?

• Do you use them all day, or part of the day?

• How important is it to you that you can access these nurseries?

• Why do you use these services?

And those taking part in the survey, which is anonymous, are invited to submit any other comments.

     

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