WORRIED Stafford parents fear a review of nursery places at special schools across Staffordshire could result in dwindling services.
Parents of youngsters at Greenhall Nursery, which caters for children with special needs, have already set up an epetition about the county-wide review by Staffordshire County Council.
The authority is planning to look at special school nursery provision to create a uniform structure across the county.
But the major fear for parents at Greenhall is that full-time places for two to three-year-olds could be under threat.
However, the council insists there are no firm proposals in place yet and headteachers will be consulted to come up with ideas and suggestions.
Several parents, whose youngsters attend Greenhall, told the Newsletter this week they were anxious that the current “excellent services” provided by Greenhall were not lost.
Mum-of-three Amanda Harrison, whose four-year-old son James attended the nursery, said: “The pressure on a family when you have a child with special needs is huge and Greenhall is like a lifeline.
James would not be where he is today without the care provided here.” Parent governor Claire O’Prey said: “We are concerned that provision could go to half days. What you do in a day you can’t in half a day.”
Another parent Paul McMahon added: “My little boy Jack has come on so well because of the full days he has spent here having one-to-one care.”
But Councillor Liz Staples, the county council’s cabinet member for education and skills, has moved to reassure parents that there will not be any detrimental impact on this service.
She said: “We have an excellent reputation for the quality of our specialist nursery provision and are always looking to develop this further.
“At the moment there are different systems in place in different parts of Staffordshire and we need to introduce a uniform system for everyone. This will mean there are equal opportunities.
“This is not about reducing capacity, or saving money. Parents can contact the special educational needs team on 0300 111 8000 if they have concerns.”
