I am deeply concerned about the proposals to close four specialised nurseries in Leicestershire because these settings provide vital early intervention and tailored support for some of our most vulnerable children and their families.
These nurseries offer expertise that cannot simply be replicated elsewhere, and the loss of these specialist environments places children at significant risk—risk of delayed development, risk of widening inequalities at the very start of a child’s life, unmet complex needs, and reduced access to the consistent, skilled support they rely on.
Many of these children need structured, specialist care to make progress that mainstream settings, through no fault of their own, may not be equipped to deliver.
Families also depend on these nurseries for stability, specialist guidance, and respite. Families will crumble without this support.
Any decision of this scale must fully consider the long‑term impact on children’s development, parental wellbeing, and the capacity of other settings to safely meet these needs.
That is why I have written to Mr Charles Pugsley, the Lead Member for Children & Families, to urge him to reconsider these proposals and ensure that the needs and safety of our most vulnerable children remain at the heart of any future plans.
You can see my letter to him here.
Please sign the petition and make sure your voice heard on the links below:
Petition link: Petition · SAVE OUR SEN NURSERIES - United Kingdom · Change.org
Consultation Link: Plans to provide more SEND nursery places in local communities | Leicestershire County Council
