Plans to close children’s centres across Essex move closer

A restructuring of early years education delivery has been agreed by Essex County Council’s.

The ECC cabinet decided in a meeting last week that the proposal which will close some centres and limit opening hours at others, will save the council £2.3m.

Little Buddies in Buckhurst Hill will be closed under the plans along with two sites in Harlow.

Opening hours will be cut to 15 hours per week at Abbeywood Children’s Centre in Waltham Abbey, Little Oaks Children’s Centre in Loughton and Little Star Centre’s Centre in Chipping Ongar.

It was agreed in the meeting that the number of hours given to each centre at the moment is a minimum which could change to respond to local needs.

The proposals must be put before a full council before they are agreed.