THE next step of merging a Kidlington nursery with a primary school is set to be agreed by a councillor next week.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Melinda Tilley will be asked to approve the plans for West Kidlington Nursery School on Monday.

It would see the formal closure of the nursery school and the age range at the neighbouring primary extended to take nursery children.

There would be no change to services, according to a county council report to Mrs Tilley, cabinet member for children, education and families.

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The move is needed because changes introduced in 2011 mean nurseries are no longer funded by the number of places provided, the report by director for children’s services Jim Leivers said. It added: “There is now no financial advantage in the two establishments being separate.”

The changes would mean the two facilities would share issues like finance and inspections by Ofsted.

In a consultation two people supported the idea, but another objected over concerns a nursery rated “good” by Ofsted would close.

They also said parents “would think they did not have to apply for a place in reception year as they were already attending the school”.

But the school said it is also rated “good” and children from any nursery have to apply for a primary place.

Mrs Tilley will be asked to approve a statutory notice for the nursery’s closure in a meeting at County Hall, Oxford, from noon. The public can attend.


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