By Don Mort, local democracy reporter
Additional reporting: John Baron
Nurseries in Bramley and Burley Park will remain under local authority control after Leeds City Council failed to find suitable new providers.
12 Little Owls nurseries were put under a cost-saving review by the council, including four which were considered for take-over by schools.
But three of the schools were unable to take control of nurseries at Hawksworth Wood, Parklands in Seacroft and Quarry Mount in Woodhouse, the council confirmed today. Discussions are continuing with St Mary’s CE Primary School over its interest in Hunslet St Mary’s Little Owls.
Another six Little Owls in Bramley, Burley Park, Meanwood, City and Holbeck, Hunslet Rylestone and Osmondthorpe will also stay with the council.
The spokesperson said: “The council’s default position throughout has remained that in the absence of satisfactory alternative providers being found, the authority would continue to manage delivery of these settings.”
The council announced new management for its Little Owls sites in Rothwell and Shepherds Lane, Chapeltown.
The Shepherds Lane centre will be run by Sunshine Community Nursery, rated “outstanding” by Ofsted at its last inspection.
The Rothwell nursery, on Cornwall Crescent, will be taken over by Sweet Peas Day Care and Teaching, which has a “good” rating.
The council said the transfer would save £124,000 in 2025/26 and almost £500,000 the following year.
A spokesperson said: “The new providers will also enter into a 10-year lease with the council, bringing in a combined potential rental income for both sites of £72,000 per year.”
The council previously closed three Little Owls sites in Gipton, Seacroft and Chapel Allerton.
The Little Owls review was designed to tackle overspends in the service totalling £1.9m in 2022/23 and £840,000 in 2023/24.
The council said “operating efficiencies and optimisation of staffing capacity” may still be needed.
A five per cent fees increase was also expected to raise £78,000 per year.
WLD last year featured a protest march through the centre of Bramley and Bramley park about council privatisation plans.