CRECHE facilities at Bury College are to be reduced and two nursery staff are to go.

The purpose built nursery caters for up to 36 young children whose parents have returned to education.

Two of the nine members of staff will not be replaced when their contracts finish in September and the number of child places will be reduced to 20.

Nursery quality manager George Cleary said the reason for the cutback was that more four-year-olds were involved in Early Years education and would not need the college facility.

"The average number of places available per session next year will be 20, which is the average attendance for the current year," he said. "We have a list of people expressing a wish to get their children into the nursery.

"At the moment no one will be denied a nursery place, although I can't guarantee that come September.

"But certainly there are enough places to deal with the average attendance."

Staff at the creche were shocked to hear the news, which follows glowing reports from Ofsted inspectors and Bury social services. The current cost to students per morning or afternoon session is £2.75, which is well below the commercial rate, thanks to a high level of college subsidy.

Mr Cleary added: "The college has resolved to continue to heavily subsidise the nursery in order to allow students with children to take advantage of the many educational opportunities which are available at Bury College."

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