Broadlands Bright Sparks Pre-school is a popular nursery judged outstanding by Ofsted in 2014 and currently occupies space in the former Broadlands Primary School which was relocated to the Aylestone site in 2015. This site is now required for the delivery of a new Special Educational Needs Free School by the Education and Skills Funding Agency.

Alternative accommodation has been identified on the Aylestone High School site that is in close proximity to their current location however the area is not designed or set-up for use as a nursery. Refurbishment work is required to create a stand-alone area that can run independently of Aylestone with facilities appropriate for that of a nursery that will meet any standards currently expected by Ofsted.

Agreement to:
Grant a lease to Broadlands Bright Sparks Pre-school Committee between Broadlands Bright Sparks Pre-school Committee and Aylestone High School for the use of mobile accommodation on the Aylestone site by Bright Sparks.

Fund up to £100k, including all associated professional fees, for the remodeling and refurbishment of the mobile accommodation on Aylestone site to make it fit for purpose for the use by a stand-alone nursery and to provide appropriately safe and secure external play space, and create the necessary entrance and access to the facility.

Funding to be provided from £25,787 early years S106 receipts from several developments with the balance of up to £74,213 coming from 2 year old capital funding.

No suitable alternatives were identified. Alternatives which were investigated but judged unsuitable included relocation to the White House site. This would have required a complete new building. The option to serve notice on Bright Sparks without offering alternative accommodation was considered, however there is strong community and political support for the provision, and it is required to enable the Council to ensure sufficient early years provision within its area. The pre-school serves a local community and there are no other suitable sites in the area.