Stoke-on-Trent's only council-maintained nursery school will close its doors for the final time this week- after serving generations of local families.

Cabinet members at Stoke-on-Trent City Council have confirmed the decision to close Bentilee Nursery School, due to it making a financial loss every year since 2022.

Pupils will now transfer to nursery provision at Maple Court Academy or Eaton Park Academy from September, while a consultation will be launched with staff.

The nursery school's site at Bentilee Family Hub is set to be turned into a nursery for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), to be operated by an academy trust or another external provider. Private nursery Tiny Toez, also based at the family hub, will not be affected.

Cabinet members rubberstamped the decision to close the nursery school at their meeting on Tuesday, following a formal consultation.

According to the report to cabinet, the nursery school ended the financial year 2025/26 with a deficit of £221,295, which was projected to rise to £340,136 by 2027/28.

Maintained nursery schools are struggling across the country due to high running costs and low pupil numbers. There were 53 children accessing places at Bentilee Nursery School in the spring.

Councillor Sarah Jane Colclough, cabinet member for children's services, said: "We recognise how important Bentilee Nursery School has been to generations of local families, and decisions like this are never taken lightly.

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"As ward councillors, we know how people in the area regard this nursery. But the reality is that the current model is no longer financially sustainable.

"However, this is about much more than closing a maintained nursery school. It's about creating a stronger and more sustainable future for early years provision in our city. We have the opportunity to establish Stoke-on-Trent's first dedicated specialist nursery for children with SEND.

"This is a significant step forward, enabling more children to receive the right support close to home."

During the consultation, the council received three objections to the proposal to close the nursery school. Objectors raised concerns over the timing of the decision close to the end of the academic year, and the impact on staff and families whose children were due to start at the nursery school in September.

The council also received two responses in support of the proposal to establish a SEND nursery at the site.