A HEADTEACHER is urging Lancashire County Council to find the cash to keep all its 24 nursery schools going.

The authority is consulting on closing some to save money as 14 are in financial difficulties.

Linda Connelly, head of the OFSTED-rated ‘Outstanding’ Staghills Nursery School in Newchurch-in-Rossendale, has warned of the wider educational effects of closures.

A special panel of councillors will discuss the issue on Thursday.

Mrs Connelly said: “The first 1,000 days of a child’s life are critical. By the age of three a child’s brain is already 80 per cent of the size of an adult. Nursery education is important.

“The hidden cost of the closure nursery schools in the Rossendale area is that our children will be less ready when they start primary school.

“Our monitoring and tracking of children’s attainment is rigorous and our support for children with special needs is a strength.”

County schools boss Cllr Phillippa Williamson said: “We will consider all possible options to try to find solutions.”