Consultation Launched Over Plans For Gatten And Lake Primary School To Take On Pre-School

Parents and residents are being invited to have their say on plans that could see Gatten and Lake Primary School take over the direct management of an on-site community pre-school.

The Isle of Wight Council has launched a public consultation on a proposal to lower the school's age range from four years old to two, allowing it to provide nursery education for younger children.

The move comes as the current owners of Gatten and Lake Childcare prepare to retire later this year.

According to a council report, the proposal would enable the school to continue the provision currently offered by the pre-school and help maintain childcare availability in the area.

If approved, Gatten and Lake Primary School would provide 22 pre-school places for children aged two and above.

A report authorised by the council's Director of Children's Services, Ashley Whittaker, states:

"The recommendation is to support the request of the headteacher of Gatten and Lake Primary School to undertake a public consultation on reducing the lower age range of the school.

"This will allow the primary school to continue to work with the current owners of the pre-school to facilitate the transfer of the business to the school should the consultation be approved and help ensure the delivery of childcare sufficiency in the area."

The school's current age range is four to 11 years old. If the proposal receives final approval, the change would come into effect from 1st September.

Gatten and Lake Childcare currently receives government funding to provide early years education for children aged two, three and four, as well as offering after-school wraparound care and holiday childcare for school-aged children.

The consultation is open until Friday 26th June.

Anyone wishing to comment on or object to the proposal can do so by emailing SandLBusinessSupport@iow.gov.uk.