TWO Pendle nursery schools, named among the best in the country, face possible closure or amalgamation as part of a Lancashire-wide review of nursery education.

County councillors are in the middle of a controversial debate over the future of nurseries which could see some closed.

Walton Lane Nursery, Nelson, and Woodfield Nursery, Brierfield, were named among the top 100 schools in Britain in the Chief Inspector of Schools' annual report after getting "10 out of 10" during Ofsted inspections. The two nurseries set a shining example for others to follow, the report said. Both have been invited to apply for coveted Beacon School status given to the best of the best and schools which are expected to share their expertise with others.

Audrey Wilson, head at Walton Lane, and Sue Boardman, her counterpart at Woodfield, both said the Chief Inspector's praise could not have come at a better time as county councillors decided the fate of nurseries.

"If they are not careful they will throw away a lot of good practice," warned Mrs Boardman. "Parents everywhere know what their nursery provides and they want it to continue.

"It's really impressive that two Pendle nurseries were mentioned in the report, but I think it's a reflection of the good work of all Lancashire's nurseries."

Mrs Wilson added: "We're all about raising standards but what we are saying to councillors is build on what you've got. Our establishments aren't unique. This is going on all over the county. "It's been proven that children in nursery schools are educated better than in any other setting.

The county council is holding a public consultation with parents, schools and other interested groups over its proposals to restructure nursery education. The consultation will end on Wednesday and councillors will discuss its findings at the end of the month.

Mrs Boardman said a lack of information about what is being considered by education bosses was adding to parents' and staff's concerns.

"We've spoken to parents about the consultation and they all want their nursery to stay," she said. "One of the main difficulties is that we've not been given details about what is being planned or when it could happen and that causes a lot of uncertainty."

Head Audrey Wilson is pictured (left) with teacher Alison Hindle joining three-year-olds Amy Elliott, Adam Pye and Morgan Greenwood in celebrating Walton Lane Nursery's excellent Ofsted report.

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