Godshill Primary School could soon no longer directly educate 2 and 3-year-olds following a decision to increase its lower age range by 2 years.
County Hall’s director of children’s services, Ashley Whittaker, made the call for the village school at a meeting with the deputy monitoring officer.
It follows a related public consultation and letter requesting the change from the school’s governing body.
Due to take effect at the start of the new year, Godshill Primary’s new age range will be from 4 – 11 years.
The school will work on transitional arrangements for delivering on-site Early Years education with an outside provider, according to a council decision report.
It says the proposed changes are part of a restructuring to address the school’s budget deficit.
“The alternative option of maintaining the current lower age range is not being recommended as it would go against the request from the governing body and head teacher to increase the lower age range of the school,” the report says.
“The long-term financial stability of directly offering Early Years provision remains uncertain and could potentially adversely affect the school’s overall budget.
Article continues below this advertisement “The Primary School will work on transitional arrangements for the delivery of Early Years education on site with an external provider to ensure a degree of continuity, safeguarding provision in the area that could be financially sustainable.”
The public consultation on the proposed age range increase ran from 26th September to 24th October and saw the council publish a public notice on its website and in local media, giving an opportunity for comments.
Seven written responses were received – one in support of the proposal and six raising objections.
Objections included a loss of local childcare provision, concern over the impact on children’s development and continuity as well as the consultation process and transparency and disquiet around anticipated cost increases with a private provider.
The council report notes however that many parents and carers have been positive about the proposed change.
A point raised in favour was that a new provider would improve the level of Early Years childcare on offer through expansion to include provision for under two-year-olds.
According to the report, the school will introduce a transition period for its Early Years provision to address issues and concerns voiced.
Godshill Primary School has been contacted for a comment.
