PARENTS in north Hull say they will fight tooth and nail to save an top-rated children's centre from cuts.
Under plans put forward by the previous Lib Dem-run council, all the city's children centres would stay open.
However, due to reductions in the amount of money the authority receives from central Government, services at these centres will have to be cut.
From June 10, McMillan Children's Centre in 21st Avenue will no longer be able to provide the day care for 0 to 5 year-olds in its current form.
The Mail understands the centre is looking to provide "a level of day care" for two to five-year-olds from the nearby Nursery building, but this facility is not suitable for 0 to two-year-olds.
A petition has now been launched by parents desperate to keep their children at the centre.
Primary school teacher Amy Fenner relies on day care provided by the centre for her 21-month-old son Leo while she works.
She said: "I am massively concerned and so are a lot of other parents on north Hull estate.
"It would be an absolute travesty if services were to end.
"Staff at the centre are great. They have known Leo and I since he was a tiny baby.
"I was over-the-moon when I got a place for Leo.
"It is not just day care they provide. They run all kinds of fantastic classes for parents and children."
The Government's education watchdog, Ofsted, gave McMillan's Children's Centre and Nursery an "outstanding" rating – the highest possible score – following its last inspection.
Ms Fenner said: "Why would they want to close this centre?"
No-one at the centre would talk to the Mail, instead referring us to the council press office.
But Adrian Kennett, a negotiator with union Unison, voiced the concerns of staff.
He said: "The centre is at risk and everyone is very concerned.
"We know parents are up-in-arms about it. This centre is very well respected in the north Hull community."
Mr Kennett said members of staff have arranged a meeting on Thursday with new Hull City Council leader Cllr Steve Brady to discuss the centre's future.
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