Field Lane children’s centre day care provision to close and commision will consider future of five other day care centres

Calderdale Council Cabinet has decided to close the day care provision Field Lane children’s centre, Rastrick, as part of a review of the future of day care provision in Calderdale and fees will increase at the other centres.
Field Lane Children's Centre, Rastrick.Field Lane Children's Centre, Rastrick.
Field Lane Children's Centre, Rastrick.

Funding for six centres was under threat as part of a 90-day consultation period started by the council and saw protests and petitions from parents and users of the centres.

Feedback from parents, staff and carers has been considered and cabinet member for children’s social care Megan Swift presented seven options at the cabinet meeting on Wednesday evening.

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Councillor Swift (Lab, Town) recommended the option that will close Field Lane and set up a commission to look at the vision for day care provision in Calderdale.

Centres at Elland, New Road, Siddal, Todmorden and Wellholme Park will see a rise in fees although the exact increase is yet to be confirmed but one of the other options in the report suggested between £2 and £5 per day.

At present the nurseries charge between £32 and £37 per day.

Councillor Swift said: “I have listened carefully to all the responses and share their passionate commitment to both Children’s Centres and high quality childcare. I will be recommending that we continue to offer nursery provision in the five children’s centres where it is currently available until a commission has reported on what we should do in future.”

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Leader of the council Tim Swift said: “Part of what the commission is doing is moving away from how do we save money to what is it we are really looking to achieve her in this provision.

Councillor Ashley Evans (Lib Dem, Warley) told the meeting it was important that the commission reported back as soon as possible. “It is looking to report back in July ideally but no later than September,” he said.

Children’s Centres work with the most disadvantaged families to provide high quality childcare.