South Tyneside Council has voted to close all 10 STANLEY nurseries across the region, a decision that has devastated parents and campaigners. The publicly-run care centres were designed to provide affordable local childcare for families in South Tyneside.
Vote sparks outrage at cabinet meeting
The cabinet meeting was attended by many parents and carers, with shouts of "shame" heard from the public gallery as the vote results were read out. Campaigns from parents, other councillors and unions were launched when the news first broke, with several protests occurring in the lead-up to the vote.
The recommended action in a report on the STANLEY nurseries was that the council should close the nurseries after 31 July 2027. Other measures not recommended included remodelling the service with increased fees, transferring the nurseries to an external business, and partially withdrawing council support.
Financial sustainability questioned
The report concluded that the current service is not financially sustainable and requires over £1 million in subsidies from the council.
Outrage at the proposed cuts spilled over from South Shields Town Hall onto social media, with father Mark McNally creating the Facebook page Save Our STANLEYs. The page now has over 2,300 followers and has helped organise multiple demonstrations and protests against the planned cuts.
"The whole reason behind the campaign is that I want the best for my son, and STANLEYs is the best. For your children, you'd do anything," Mr McNally said.
"We're being told that there's plenty of spaces in other nurseries, but myself and other families have rang many in the area and they're already full. STANLEY nurseries don't close until July next year, and there's already waiting lists."
Parents' frustration and campaign efforts
Mr McNally, whose two older children had been through the nurseries before entering school, said his non-verbal son is now at risk of major upheaval. "Today was the first day since he started in May that he came down from my arms and walked straight through the nursery doors without looking back. From next July, we're going to have to start all over again."
He added: "There were quite a few times we offered to pay more for it, helping split the cost. I haven't spoken to one parent who thought they wouldn't pay half or even full cost supplied by the council per week per child. We thought at the very worst, they'd close a couple of them, and that you'd need to pay a fee. But to close them all, we can't understand it."
Frustration at the council is a common thread among parents, with Mr McNally saying, "If they cared, they would have listened. You can't see thousands of people, multiple protests of over 2-300 people and everything else we've done, and not say a thing to us. They only replied to our email a couple of weeks ago to say they were open to questions. I voted Reform, but now I'm ashamed to say I did. I know for sure I won't be doing it again, and I know I won't be the only one."
Council and councillor responses
Reform Councillor Michelle Fascione, Lead Member for Children and Families, Education and Skills, said: "We know this decision will be deeply upsetting for many people. It is not a decision we have taken lightly, and we do not underestimate the impact it will have on staff, children and families."
"Our dedicated STANLEYs staff have cared for, supported and nurtured generations of local children, and we are incredibly grateful for everything they have given to families and communities. This decision is not a reflection on them or on the quality of care they provide."
"We also recognise the parents, carers and campaigners who have spoken so passionately about what these nurseries mean to them. Their voices have been heard, and Cabinet carefully considered their representations, staff feedback, alternative proposals and all of the evidence before reaching this extremely difficult decision."
In the report to the council on the nurseries, it had been stressed several times that there was no legal obligation to provide the nurseries, a sentiment repeated by Fascione in statements to other news outlets.
She continues: "Ultimately, the Council also had to consider its responsibilities and the long-term financial sustainability of a service which currently requires an annual subsidy of around £1.1m. Our statutory duty is to ensure sufficient childcare is available for families. STANLEYs account for only a small proportion of childcare provision across South Tyneside, and our latest assessment found there are sufficient good-quality places across the Borough."
"The nurseries will remain open until 31 July 2027 and our focus now is firmly on supporting every child, family and member of staff through the transition. Every child will be supported to secure a place with an alternative childcare provider. All registered childcare providers have a duty to meet the needs of children with SEND, and individual transition plans will be put in place for children with additional needs. We will work closely with families throughout this process, while continuing to support affected staff."
Green councillor and union concerns
Green Councillor Rachel Taylor said: "My major concern with the closure of all 10 Stanley’s nurseries is the impact it will have on families already facing the greatest financial pressures. These nurseries are often located within housing estates across South Tyneside and they provide accessible and affordable childcare at the very heart of local communities."
"Removing that provision risks placing the greatest burden on families who have the least flexibility to absorb any kind of additional childcare costs. Combine that with extra travel and all of the disruption including that for families with disabled children and Special Educational Needs."
She added: "The report shows option 2 (Remodelling the service – Increasing Fees, changing ratios, term-time only delivery) that was put forward by Unions and Staff following consultation, would have saved £1.039 million and very nearly balanced the books. Of the £1.1 million shortfall to the council, option 2 was dismissed without data to justify this decision at the scrutiny committee."
"This is not about refusing to acknowledge the financial pressures facing the council. It is about making sure that when a decision of this scale is taken, councillors have the information needed to make a fully informed decision and families know there is a properly funded plan to support them through the consequences. Scrutiny asked for that time and those answers. The Cabinet chose to proceed without them."
Commenting on the vote, UNISON Northern regional secretary Paul Foy said: "The decision to shut Stanley’s nurseries is a bitter blow to the families, staff and local residents who fought so hard to keep them."
"Thousands of people petitioned for these valued services to remain open, which should have sent a clear message to councillors. Yet many will feel their voices have been ignored. These nurseries are vital in supporting all parents and giving children the best possible start in life. Their closure will create uncertainty about childcare arrangements and have a wider impact on the communities they serve."
"Staff have worked tirelessly to support children and families, and now face an uncertain future. The council must give them answers on what lies ahead."
