PARENTS fighting to save two city nurseries have welcomed a decision to keep at least one open.
Hull City Council has ruled out closing both Clifton and Lambert nurseries after a consultation saw hundreds of parents object.
Hull City Council launched the consultation saying they were not financially viable.
But parents refuted the claims and said children's education would suffer if the nurseries were closed.
Officers have now launched a second consultation and have confirmed there will be no option to close both.
When the initial consultation was launched, hundreds of parents signed a petition and took part in awareness-raising events such as a picnic in Pearson Park.
Despite the good news from the Guildhall, parents say they still believe keeping both nurseries open is viable and they will continue to fight.
Julian Haseldine, a parent who has been fighting the closure, said: "The main thing is they have ruled out complete closure.
"We think both centres are still viable. We know times are hard and a lot of people face cuts but we have argued these can be financially self-sustainable.
"What we have always asked for is constructive dialogue for reasonable alternatives.
"Based on the statement, it looks like they are looking at that constructive dialogue.
"We are cautiously optimistic and welcome the fact the council is listening to parents."
Clifton Nursery in Burslem Street, city centre, was judged to be outstanding in its last Ofsted inspection and Lambert, in Lambert Street, Newland Avenue, was rated good.
Parents believe closing the facilities would mean the loss of high-quality provision for early years.
They have offered council officers a series of solutions to keep the nurseries open, including increasing places for babies.
A spokesman for Hull City Council said: "Hull City Council undertook an extensive consultation on a range of options regarding the future of the Clifton and Lambert Nursery Schools and Children's Centres.
"The consultation generated a large number of responses and alternative suggestions about the future of the Clifton and Lambert Federation. As a result, the council has decided to enter into a second formal phase of consultation on a wider range of options intended to secure financially sustainable provision at the Clifton and Lambert sites."
The statement confirmed there would be no option to close both following views expressed by the parents in the first consultation.
The second phase of consultation will begin next Friday.
Parents, carers, staff and others will be contacted and sent the consultation documents.
There will be further public meetings to allow parents and carers a further opportunity to have their say on the range of options, which have yet to be published.
