Gatten and Lake Primary School on the Isle of Wight could take over the direct management of an on-site community pre-school.
County Hall’s director of children’s services, Ashley Whittaker, has authorised a public consultation on a proposal to reduce the Shanklin primary’s lower age range from four to two years old.
Why the pre-school could transfer to the school
The owners of the pre-school, Gatten and Lake Childcare, are due to retire later this year, according to a council report.
Gatten and Lake Primary School is looking to deliver 22 pre-school places for children aged from two years old.
The report says,
“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.”
What the proposal would mean in practice
The change in the school’s age range, which is currently four to 11, will take effect from 1st September 2026 if given the go-ahead.
Childcare provision and the case for change
Gatten and Lake Childcare currently receives government funding for early years education for children aged two, three and four years old.
It also provides school aged childcare in the form of ‘after school’ wraparound and holiday care.
How to have your say
A consultation will run until Friday, 26th June 2026. Comments or objections on the proposal can be made by sending them to [email protected].
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
