Council considers closing early learning centres
Getty ImagesA union has said it will "fight" to keep 12 publicly-run nurseries open after a council said it is considering closing the sites.
South Tyneside Council has launched a consultation on its local childcare services, which includes the possibility of closing its South Tyneside Accredited Network for Learning in the Early Years (Stanley's) nurseries.
The council said it is reviewing how it supported children and families in the area but no decision had yet been made.
GMB organiser Mark Wilson said the union opposed the possible closure of the nurseries as they provided "high quality" and affordable childcare for local people.
"People, quite rightly, who have their children in those nurseries are worried they will have to get private provision where the cost is much higher," said Wilson.
"This is a service worth keeping and we will be campaigning to keep the Stanley learning centres open."
Wilson said if the closures did go ahead parents would be left with only private childcare companies, which vary in "price and quality".
A total of 116 people are employed across the 12 day care centres and the closures could make their roles redundant.
Reviewing childcare services
A review of the nurseries was first agreed by the previous Labour-led administration but Reform UK, which now controls the council, said it will continue with the consultation.
The South Tyneside Green Party have opposed the possible closures and said their councillors are "deeply concerned about the impact this would have on children".
"We recognise that savings must be found, but we believe councillors should work together to identify solutions that protect essential services wherever possible," a spokesperson said.
The local authority said no decisions had been made as yet on the future of the nurseries, but it was in discussions with staff and trade unions.
"We are reviewing how we support children and families, with a focus on building a stronger, more joined-up system that helps families get the right support at the right time," a council spokesperson said.
"This work forms part of the council's 2026/27 budget, agreed in February, which includes delivering a range of efficiencies, service improvements and income generation across all services."
The council has a legal duty to ensure there are sufficient childcare places available to local families, but this can be provided directly via the local authority or by external providers.
It said none of the proposed changes would affect childcare arrangements for the start of the 2026-27 academic year, and any decisions would be made after a full public consultation.
