Decision details

To ask the Cabinet Member to approve the statutory proposal published by Wiltshire Council on 6 January 2023. The notice proposed to change the age range of Princecroft Primary School to provide additional pre-school provision from 1 September 2023. The school will then admit children from the age of 2 years.  Pupils will be accommodated in an existing building on the school site, formerly the Noah’s Ark Nursery which closed July 2022.

Following consultation with officers I give notice that I have made the decision set out in the attached report.

This decision was published on 3 April and will come into force on 11 April 2023.

The Council has a statutory duty to ensure sufficient places across Wiltshire and this proposal will ensure that the community in the area of Princecroft Primary School have a sufficient supply of pre-school places in their local community.

i.               Do Nothing

The Council does have the option to do nothing as it has a statutory duty to provide sufficient early years childcare places across the county.

ii.              Provide alternative funding for a new building

The Council has no other funding it could use to create these additional places elsewhere.

iii.             Identify an alternative private provider

No alternative Provider has been identified to provide additional places

iv.            Increase capacity at Princecroft Nursery utilising the existing building vacated by Noah’s Ark Nursery in 2022

This is the preferred option as it will increase early years capacity in the area, and should support the school to improve outcomes for pre-school children who may attend the school at the appropriate time

Wiltshire Council and Princecroft Primary School have widely consulted on the proposal to lower the age range of the school to provide extended nursery provision. Consultation with a range of stakeholders took place between 18 November 2022 and 16 December 2022 and preceded publication of the statutory proposals. A public meeting was also held on 6 December 2022. Interested parties were asked to complete a consultation form. There were 53 responses received, all supported the proposal. 

The statutory proposal period ended on 03 February 2023. There were no objections or comments received.