'Shame' - Stanley's nurseries to close from July 2027 after Cabinet vote to axe service
The future of Stanley’s nurseries has been decided at a Cabinet meeting.
‘Shame’ was yelled at this afternoon’s Cabinet meeting after members voted to axe all Stanley’s nurseries across South Tyneside.
The Cabinet met to decide the future of Stanley’s nurseries on Wednesday, September 23, and decided to close all 10 of the nurseries.
Last night South Tyneside Council leaders were told to delay decision on closing Stanley's nurseries in last ditch plea.
Beforehand, Save Our Stanley’s Campaigners and Labour councillors rallied outside the Town Hall, calling for Cabinet members to reconsider making the cuts.
Now that Cabinet members have decided to go ahead with the proposals, all of the the South Tyneside Accredited Network for Learning in the Early Years (Stanley’s) centres will close from July 31, 2027.
The local authority has confirmed that it will continue to make sure there are enough good-quality childcare places for families in South Tyneside but campaigners are not convinced, saying the closures will mean increased demand and pressure on other providers.
Reaction to the news
Campaigners say the loss of the childcare provision will come at a great cost for children and parents in the borough with many having fought to stop the closures since June 8.
The group has made several demonstrations to grab the attention of the Council, including leaving 402 letters on the steps of the town hall to represent the number of children who will be affected by the closures.
Their campaign has been backed by both of South Tyneside’s MPs.
Joanna Taylor launched the initial petition calling for Stanley’s to be saved and has vowed that the campaign will continue to fight for the future of the nurseries.
She shouted “shame” at the councillors and was joined by many voices as outcries were heard from the public gallery filled with parents, campaigners and councillors.
Cries of “boo” and “horrible people” were echoed in the town hall.
Speaking after the meeting, Joanna said: “I feel absolutely disgusted. I feel sad. I feel angry.
“I’m absolutely shocked that they’ve done this to us.
“I’m so shocked that they’ve done this to the community and to my child and everybody else’s children.”
Parent representative Declan Taylor said: “It was an absolute pantomime.
“It goes to show that this decision was made before the last consultation even started.
“Last night was another show, in my opinion, or it was an attempt to save seats come May.”