A group of parents has vowed to fight plans to close a nursery – despite the fact it only has six children on its books.

Milton Primary Academy sent out letters informing families its pre-school will shut on December 19.

The decision was taken by the governors due to a fall in numbers.

But the mums and dads of the children affected say they believe it’s being overlooked due to another nursery operating from the Sure Start Centre, which is located at the entrance of the school’s grounds in Brewery Road.

Paulette Smith, whose daughter Libby attends Milton Court Nursery, said: “If people were to wander further down the drive they will find a well-established nursery with passionate staff, qualified teachers and happy, thriving children.

“This decision, in the parents’ view, is very rash and definitely not taking on board the children’s best interest, only six weeks into a new term of which three of the children have just joined the setting.

“It’s understood new admissions were turned away just three weeks into the term, that would have obviously boosted numbers within the first six weeks.

“There has been no consultation period for closure and we have been refused a meeting to include the staff, governors and parents after asking several times over the last week.”

The school says it is looking into an outside setting taking over the facility but should it shut permanently alternative nurseries have been recommended such as Kemsley Primary Academy which, like Milton Court, is also part of the REAch2 Academy Trust.

Mrs Smith, who was speaking for all the parents affected, said: “It is difficult to access and to be at Milton Court School and Kemsley at the same times when many have children of school age.

“Others in the area are at capacity, this leaves us parents not able to easily access our children’s government-required early years education prior to them beginning school.

“We do not want to lose such an amazing setting. We hope that any new provider will work with us in parent partnership to continue the amazing work that we feel is being thrown away on a whim.”

Head teacher Jason Pearn said the school was at a “delicate stage in negotiations” with alternative providers keen to use the room where the nursery is run.

“Should these negotiations have a successful outcome the children will remain in familiar surroundings but the numbers will be increased by the number on the provider’s waiting list.

“The decision has not been taken lightly. Numbers have been low for a number of years with no more than 14 children in a single session through last year.

At the beginning of September this year we had three children on roll. We embarked upon a robust advertising campaign and offered extended hours and lunchtime provision.

“Sadly, this only increased our numbers to six. Some parents did make inquiries but either they did not take up the offer of a place or their requests were for places in September 2015.

“We are currently having to subsidise the cost of the nursery from the school’s budget which is not allowed.

“We will not have to make anyone redundant as the three members of staff in the nursery will be taking up places within Milton Court.”