Springfield Nursery is proposed to close permanently by July 2025, after low enrolment rates caused the nursery to run at an annual deficit of over £50,000.

It comes after a significant reduction in the number of children taking a place at the early years nursery over the past five years.

A report from the Local Democracy Reporting Service stated that the “exceptionally high mobility rate, as many of the pupils are the children of overseas students or refugees and asylum seekers, means the number on roll changes frequently.”

One parent, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “It has become a struggle in the morning. I have to drop one kid off at Springfield Primary and then take my other child to a different nursery.

“Very often I worry about being late, which wasn’t an issue when the nursery was open. I understand their reasoning for shutting it, but it has definitely impacted our lives.”

The minimum number of children needed to be enrolled to be financially viable is 34.

In 2022-23, the maximum number of children enrolled was 16.

Leigh Coates, 54, a Childcare Expert from the North East, said: “It is really disappointing that the parents will lose access to a school nursery that their children can then transition to.

“The nursery feeds into the school and can enhance the education of all the children attending in early years and beyond.”

Sheffield City Council have opened a six week consultation service, running from October 11 to November 22, to allow parents to have their say about the possibility of a permanent closure.

Whilst the nursery has been temporarily closed, the building has been used as a community hub, which has been described as a great asset in an area of high need and deprivation.

The governing board stated that closing the nursery would redirect financial resources back to where it’s needed, supporting students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and English as an Additional Language (EAL).