A decision on the future of affordable childcare provision at the City of London Corporation’s only state primary school has been delayed until September, prompting frustration from parents and school representatives.
Members of the Corporation’s Community and Children’s Services Committee were due to decide whether to continue subsidising the 0-2 childcare provision at The Aldgate School or allow funding to end in August 2027. The service, which caters for children aged between three months and three years, has faced uncertainty for more than two years after the Corporation moved to change how childcare services are delivered.
Councillors were presented with two options at a meeting on June 30: continue providing an annual subsidy of £60,000 or stick to the previously agreed funding cut-off date in 2027.
However, committee chair Deputy Helen Fentimen proposed deferring the decision until September, citing concerns that the officers’ report did not contain enough information for members to make a fully informed decision. Members were split evenly on the proposal, with 12 voting in favour and 12 against. Deputy Fentimen used her casting vote to push the decision back.
The delay sparked criticism from parents, governors and councillors who argued families and staff had already faced prolonged uncertainty. The Corporation originally agreed in March 2024 to withdraw funding for the childcare provision as part of wider reforms to local childcare services. Following pressure from parents, councillors and community groups, the subsidy was extended twice and is currently due to continue until August 2027.
A report prepared ahead of the meeting revealed that The Aldgate School’s governing body had informed the Corporation earlier this year that the 0-2 provision would have to close if future funding was not secured.
Deputy John Fletcher, who represents the Portsoken ward where the school is located, urged members not to delay the decision. “This has gone on for too long,” he said.
“I don’t think any more information would change anybody’s mind on this committee. It is not fair on the school. It is not fair on the parents. It is not fair on the people of Portsoken.”
Others backed a delay, arguing members needed more detailed financial information before making a decision.
Chief Commoner Philip Woodhouse said he had learned more about the issue through informal discussions than from the report itself and described a deferral as “eminently sensible”.
Deputy Chair Steve Goodman also questioned whether the report provided sufficient detail, saying it would be unfair to expect members to reach a decision without additional information.
But several councillors warned that further delays would only prolong uncertainty for families and staff.
Deputy Nighat Qureishi said she was unsure why a decision could not be made now that detailed figures on the cost of maintaining the service had been provided. “Some people here today have got a lot riding on this decision,” she said.
Parents attending the meeting expressed disappointment at the outcome.
Jiya Dave said a tied vote demonstrated there was no majority in favour of ending the childcare provision. “We should not have to fight this hard, for this long, over £60,000 – 0.02 per cent of the City’s budget – to keep open the only affordable nursery for babies in the Square Mile,” she said.
Parent Wayne Daly described the decision as “stalling for time”. “All of the relevant facts have been published and made available to every member, so the decision to defer on the basis of needing to seek more information comes across to parents and staff as more stalling for time,” he said.
“We needed a decision.”
Beverley Ryan, chair of governors at The Aldgate School, said she was “very disappointed” that the committee had been unable to reach a conclusion.
Common Cllr Jason Pritchard said families who had already faced months of uncertainty had now been left waiting even longer for clarity. “This issue has been under discussion for well over a year,” he said.
“Parents, staff and governors deserved certainty, yet they have instead been left in limbo until September.”
A City of London Corporation spokesperson said the authority continues to work with the school to explore future options and would keep families informed.
They added that there is sufficient childcare provision available across the Square Mile and that eligible families can access support through government entitlements and the Corporation’s childcare accessibility schemes.
