Stanley’s nurseries under threat: What we know about possible South Tyneside closures and what happens next
Nurseries across South Tyneside face closure with the loss of jobs and upheaval for hundreds of parents and their children. Gazette Editor RICHARD ORD reviews developments so far…
A protest will take place outside South Shields Town Hall on Saturday, July 18, against the possible closure of 10 Stanley’s nurseries across South Tyneside.
Dubbed the Stanley Stomp, the gathering will bring together parents, children, nursery staff, trade unions and politicians calling on South Tyneside Council to protect all centres and the jobs of those who work in them.
But how did we get here and what happens next?
When did the prospect of nursery closures first appear in public?
While it did not cause a flutter at the time, the future of Stanley’s nurseries may have been under our noses without us realising it.
In a report on South Tyneside Council’s budget plans that appeared in the Gazette in January, we revealed how the council was, in broad brush-strokes, going to balance the books.
But the key line may have been this one: “The council is also looking to save around £1.4million in its children’s services department, including a ‘review of children’s day care provision’ saving more than £700,000…”
Was that the Stanley’s nurseries?
What started alarm bells ringing?
Alarm bells started ringing at the beginning of June when speculation online suggested South Tyneside Council was considering axing the Stanley’s nursery programme.
It soon emerged that the rumours of potential job losses and nursery closures had a firm basis.
How did the council leader respond to the leak?
June 9: Council leader Paul Mackings posted on Facebook, effectively confirming that a review of the nurseries was taking place, but lay the blame with the previous Labour-led council.
He said: “I would like to clear one thing up, the cuts to the STANLEY Nursery services across South Tyneside were implemented in the last Budget as passed by the outgoing Labour administration.
“Reform UK and my administration are not responsible for what was set in the budget of the previous Administration, but we have to comply with the legally agreed financial budget of South Tyneside Council. We will be keeping everything under review in our budget which will be presented February 2027 ahead of the new financial year.
“The leak on social media is something which is regrettable, and which I condemn, staff should not have found out that way, the Council Officers were in negotiation with the trade unions, ahead of the staff consultation. My thoughts will always first and foremost be with the children, parents and staff.
“Just to be absolutely clear, the cuts are the responsibility of the outgoing Labour Administration. Labour never put the people of South Tyneside first.”
How did South Tyneside’s two MPs react?
In essence, they both opposed cuts to the service but pointed out that the current Reform UK-led council was not bound to axe anything.
South Shields MP Emma Lewell said: “The new Reform-led administration can alter the previous Labour-led administration plans. They are choosing not to.
“It was wrong of the previous Labour administration to propose these drastic cuts; it will be equally wrong for the new administration to plough ahead with them regardless.”
Jarrow and Gateshead East MP Kate Osborne wrote to Cllr Mackings with her concerns, adding: “Children are settled in these nurseries and have stability, routine and trusted relationships with the staff.
“Reducing access to nursery places risks disproportionately affecting those children who would benefit most from early intervention and support.”
What was South Tyneside Council’s official response?
June 10: We published a statement from South Tyneside Council which stressed that no decisions had been made but confirmed consultations were taking place with staff.
A spokesperson for South Tyneside Council said: “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.
“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.
“Discussions with staff and trade unions are underway, and no decisions have been made at this stage. It would not be appropriate to comment on specific service models or potential changes while this process is ongoing.
“We understand there has been external speculation and that this may be unsettling. However, we would ask people not to draw conclusions at this stage.
“Our focus is on ensuring children and families can continue to access the support they need in their local communities, including looking at how services can be delivered in the most effective and accessible way.”
When did the public campaign begin?
June 11: We reported how Hebburn mum Joanna Taylor, whose three-year-old daughter, Thea, attends a Stanley’s daycare centre, set up a petition opposing any plans to discontinue the nurseries.
Within days, it had attracted 2,000 signatures.
At what point were nursery staff informed of the potential cuts?
South Tyneside Council held meetings with Stanley’s staff at the Customs House, on Mill Dam, on Thursday, June 11, to outline what the cuts could entail.
The Shields Gazette was told that staff were informed during the meetings that there was a possibility all 10 Stanley’s centres across South Tyneside could close.
When did the first public protest take place?
By then, the petition had reached 4,000 signatures.
On July 14, campaigners placed 402 pairs of shoes outside South Shields Town Hall representing the number of children that would be affected by nursery closures. The online petition had reached more than 5,000 signatures.
What was the local Labour Party’s response to criticism?
Labour stated that the 2026/27 Budget, which was agreed by South Tyneside Council, did not propose closing any Stanley’s daycare centres.
However, it did recommend a review of the service, consideration of new models of working and enhancing the service through a lengthy consultation process with staff and parents.
What have the unions said about the potential nursery closures?
June 19: UNISON and the GMB called for South Tyneside Council to reconsider making cuts to the South Tyneside Accredited Network for Learning in the Early Years.
The provision, which offers affordable childcare at 10 centres across the borough, is under threat after it was leaked that the local authority was considering cuts to the service.
Among the proposals is the option of closing all the centres, meaning staff could be at risk of redundancy and parents could be left without nurseries for their children.
Mark Wilson, GMB organiser, called for the local authority to strengthen Stanley’s rather than look to make cuts to the provision.
He said: “Clearly this has came as an absolute shock to our members, who are upset and angry with South Tyneside Council.
“Our members are saying loud and clear, no to closures and no to a review so we’re now working to convince the Council that this is the wrong path to go down.
“From a union perspective, we’re concerned about the potential loss of low-cost, high quality childcare in a deprived area like South Tyneside.”
Ian Fleming, regional organiser for UNISON, called for Stanley’s to remain with South Tyneside Council rather than the provision being filled by the private sector.
He commented: “Our members are very upset and angry, this borough has lost enough jobs so we’re here to not only support the staff but also the families that use Stanley’s.
“We need to make sure that there is a fair process carried out by South Tyneside Council.
“At the moment, we are at a very early point in the consultation and a whole host of things could happen.
“Hopefully redundancies can be mitigated but one thing is for sure, the service does need to be provided in the borough — whether through the Council or through the private sector.”
What happens next?
The Reform-led South Tyneside Council has remained tight-lipped on the future of the Stanley’s nurseries, other than sticking to the line that “no decisions have been made”.
The Stanley’s Stomp protest will take place outside South Shields Town Hall on Saturday, July 18, and will involve parents, children, politicians, union representatives and supportive members of the public. They will be meeting at the Market Place at 11am before heading to the Town Hall for 12noon.
It is understood that the staff consultation will conclude before the end of July, after which the council is expected to determine the future of the nurseries.