Anger over 'skeleton staffing' at children's centres – childcare expert speaks out

​CHILDREN'S centres will be kept open with a skeleton staff of receptionists and cleaners, it was claimed today.
Hull's network of daycare centres could be kept only artificially open, with existing services being axed along with the staff who deliver them.
Until now, city council leaders have maintained all 20 centres will remain open, despite funding cuts.
One childcare expert today accused politicians of orchestrating a smokescreen over the issue.
Ken Fellows, who is a member of the council's Schools Forum, said he had decided to speak out because he was "furious" over the move.
He said: "At the council's budget meeting, it was publicly stated by council leader Carl Minns and others that all the children's centres would stay open, but with a reduced level of services.
"However, the reality of the situation is that nearly all the buildings are only going to be kept open on a skeleton staffing structure of receptionists and cleaners.
"They are doing this because if any centre actually closed, the council would have to repay the capital grant it got from the Government."
Mr Fellows said: "Effectively, most of them will be closed because no services will be delivered from them."
The council's budget for the coming year will see annual funding for children's centres reduced by �4 million, to �3.7 million.
Instead of all 20 centres offering similar services it is believed just a handful will continue as they are now.
Mr Fellows said: "The budget for children with additional needs is going completely. It currently provides pre-school places for 500 children in Hull with a range of special needs and that will stop next month.
"It means parents will have to stop working to look after them."
City council leader Councillor Carl Minns said: "Our aim is to try to maintain services for the most vulnerable children, but with a significantly reduced budget.
"We are in discussion with partners and local communities about maximising opportunities and activities, with a view to making children's centres the hub of local areas in the future."

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