The future of three nursery schools in Lambeth, London, hangs in the balance as local authorities consider potential closures due to a significant decline in pupil numbers. Lambeth Council announced it is consulting on proposals to close Maytree, Effra, and Triangle Nursery Schools, all of which are part of the Lambeth Nursery Schools Federation. The consultation has prompted a petition from local parent Tee Abedeen, who is urging the council to reconsider these plans.
According to Lambeth Council, there are 22 schools and maintained nurseries in the borough that are forecasting deficit budgets totaling £12.2 million. The council attributes the financial struggles of these nurseries to declining birth rates and the migration of families out of the area post-pandemic, compounded by the ongoing cost of living crisis. Over the past five years, pupil numbers across Lambeth’s five maintained nursery schools have decreased by more than 38 percent.
At the end of the financial year 2024/25, the nurseries reported a collective deficit of £2.4 million. Councillor Ben Kind, the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at Lambeth Council, emphasized the importance of early years education: “Our priority is to ensure children across Lambeth continue to access high-quality early years education, now and in the future. Maintained nursery schools play a vital role, particularly for our most vulnerable children, and these are not decisions we take lightly.”
Cllr Kind acknowledged the challenges posed by the financial pressures, stating, “Sustained falls in pupil numbers and a funding system based on headcount have created significant financial pressures. Doing nothing is not an option—it would risk the quality and sustainability of provision.” He assured that the council is committed to consulting with parents, staff, and the wider community before making any final decisions, which are not yet determined.
In response to the proposed closures, Tee Abedeen launched a petition on change.org, which had collected 666 signatures as of February 23, 2024. Abedeen described the nurseries as “lifelines” for many families in the area, arguing that alternatives, such as community-led initiatives and grants, should be explored instead of closures.
“The closure of these nurseries would have devastating impacts on our community, particularly some of the most vulnerable children who rely on this crucial support,” Abedeen stated. She added that the educational experiences provided at these schools serve as foundational scaffolding for lifelong learning and success.
Cllr Kind reiterated the council’s approach, noting that any future decisions would involve careful planning to support children and families, including considerations for continuity of care and access to specialist early years support.
Lambeth Council has reported that many schools in the borough face similar financial difficulties due to decreasing pupil numbers and rising operational costs. The consultation for the proposed nursery closures began on February 2, 2024, and parents have until March 23, 2024, to voice their opinions on the matter through a dedicated page on the Love Lambeth website.
As the consultation period continues, the fate of Maytree, Effra, and Triangle Nursery Schools remains uncertain, highlighting the broader challenges faced by educational institutions in the current economic climate.
