Parents in Leeds told they'll have to pay nearly a quarter more on nursery fees
A group of parents in Leeds have been told they will have to pay nearly 25 per cent more on their nursery bills
Parents have been told they'll have to pay nearly 25 per cent more on their nursery fees, after a Leeds City Council owned nursery has been privatised.
Parents and carers at Shepherd’s Lane Little Owls nursery in Harehills received a letter from the private owners that Leeds City Council has selected to take over their nursery in the new year that fees will rise by 24 per cent, going from £61 a day currently to almost £76 a day from April 2026.
It was feared that the nursery being privatised would result in increased fees or reduced hours, with a campaign group Save Little Owls Nurseries set up to try and stop it.
Iain Dalton, a spokesperson for the campaign group said: “Throughout our campaigning over the last year and a half, Save Little Owls Nurseries campaigners have warned that any attempts to privatise nurseries would likely lead to detrimental changes for parents and carers as the new private owners sought to protect and increase their profits.
“This is why it has been so vital that our campaign has existed to organise the opposition of parents, carers and trade unionists against these proposals, meaning that at least ¾ of nurseries the council had suggested could be privatised remain in council hands without theses fee hikes.
“Leeds City Council has always had an alternative to closing and privatising nurseries with a detrimental effect on parents, carers and their children.
"At every stage we have asked for them to work with us and the trade unions representing nursery workers to campaign to demand the funds necessary from central government to ensure high quality, affordable nursery provision remains in Leeds.”
A Leeds City Council spokesperson said: “Sunshine Community Nursery Ltd was approved to take over the management of Shepherds Lane Little Owls following a robust evaluation process, having demonstrated its ability to provide high-quality childcare and early education in an inclusive environment.
“As part of the process, all potential alternative providers had to evidence they could operate a sustainable business model, to ensure longevity of the service within the local community for future years.
“While we appreciate the impact of any fee increase on families, following the transfer of management from Leeds City Council the responsibility for this now lies with the new provider.
“The decision to seek alternative providers followed an extensive review of our Little Owls nurseries, which was undertaken to address the service’s significant ongoing financial deficit, while ensuring sufficient early years places across the city.”