Two Crewe schools set to lower age range following sudden nursery closures

By Belinda Ryan - Local Democracy Reporter 10th Jan 2023

Two Crewe schools look set to start taking pupils from the age of two - following the sudden closure of nurseries at their sites.

Reach for the Stars Nursery Ltd had provided full day care at The Brooks Children's Centre on the site of Pebble Brook Primary School, Balmoral Avenue.

The nursery provided the same service at Oak Tree Children's Centre on the site of Underwood West Academy, Newcastle Street, since 2017.

Reach for the Stars Nursery Ltd had provided full day care at The Brooks Children's Centre on the site of Pebble Brook Primary School since 2017 (Ryan Parker).

Both nurseries, which were rated good in their most recent Ofsted inspections last year, closed suddenly in November.

A report to Monday's (January 9), meeting of the children and families committee says: "Both schools where the nurseries are on site expressed an interest in creating nursery classes on the sites of the previous nurseries so that they can offer nursery age classes within the school.

"This new model will no longer require a commissioned provider service as it will be delivered within the school which will secure places in the future, ensure continuity for the children, early engagement with the school and a nursery provision delivered in the heart of the family's community."

Cheshire East began a four week consultation regarding the proposals in November.

Thirteen responses were received for Pebble Brook, with 11 in favour and two against.

Underwood West Academy, Newcastle Street (Google).

The six responses received for Underwood West all agreed with the proposal.

The council's children and families committee is being asked on Monday to approve the proposed changes of age range at Pebble Brook Primary from four to 11 to two to 11 years to accommodate a nursery provision.

This, if approved, will be a temporary change for up to two years, and will be implemented either next month or in March.

A full consultation on the change of age range will be completed by the school within the first year to consult for a permanent change, with a final decision made by the committee.

Because Underwood West is an academy, the trustees will be the decision makers on the age range change – although they will be required to seek final approval from the Department for Education's regional director.