The Assistant Director for Education and Early Help in Children, Schools and Families informed the panel members of the proposal for the Lavender Nursery site and closure of the Lavender Road Nursery which is still in consultation until 22^nd February 2021.  The proposal seeks to ensure fair and equal access to education for children of all ages regardless of their disability.  Merton works in partnership with the voluntary, independent and private sector to ensure access to childcare and early years’ education across the borough in a range of settings.

There are generally fewer free childcare schemes for eligible 2-year-olds.   According to the GLA forecast Merton’s under-fives has decreased in recent years which is likely to reduce the demand for childcare places however, the secondary school provision appears to be on the increase.

Currently Merton Medical Education Service provides service to children aged 5 to 16 either on-site, via home tuition or in the community depending on their needs.  This service was previously located in the bungalow on the Canterbury campus however, this is no longer deemed sufficient as it could only accommodate 20 children but service requires space for 40 children.  As such it was moved to Worsfold House in September 2020 for a short term.  Lack of a sufficient site means children are having to have home tuition rather than learn with their peers in a social setting / environment.

The option to extend the Canterbury campus was considered but was not taken forward for a number of reasons to include the need for medical students to feel safe and secure.  The expansion was also not taken forward due to the cost of expansion outweing the adaption of the Lavender site that could have the potential to accommodate 40 to 60 students.  A site search looking at other council building were looked into but none were vacant or sufficient in size.

The Assistant Director for Education and Early Help in Children, Schools and Families assured the panel that assistance to relocate current pupils at the Lavender site would be available for up to 80 part-time places for two year olds eligible for free nursery places to local provisions from September 2021.  Provision for children with not an excess of part-time / term-time places currently in early years’ sector to continue on the site for this group of vulnerable children.  Support will be given to fee paying families to access alternative provisions across private, voluntary and independent sector from 2021.

Assurance to the panel to continue working with providers in the marketplace, supporting continues improvement, access to training and working in partnership to ensure sufficiency of provision was also given.

A panel member also part of the Lavender Nursery Parents’ Association who do not agree with the proposal to the Lavender site by the council as its felt that the site provides a vital service to around 100 children and currently has over 40 children on its waiting list.  The closure of the site would affect early years development of local children and urge the council to reconsider.