YOUNGSTERS on the edge of York may soon have a new nursery on their doorsteps after proposals to extend a school were unveiled.

Plans to extend Headlands Primary School, in Haxby, to create facilities for toddlers – which would be run by an independent firm – have been handed in to City of York Council in a bid to meet demand for places.

If approved, the new building – including a lobby, office, main hall and outdoor play area with links to one of the Oak Tree Lane site’s existing classrooms – would be placed in the site’s playground, which would also be improved.

And while the youngsters who would be looked after there would not necessarily then go on to Headlands, the school’s head teacher, Chris Pearce, believes the nursery would be a major boost to Haxby and Wigginton families.

“What this development is intended to do is to provide high-quality childcare which will ease the worries and concerns some parents may have,” he said.

“Although we have before and after-school clubs for pupils who are currently at Headlands, we do not have a nursery, which we believe makes us one of the few in the area to be in that situation, and we feel this development would mean better provision for children who are in their early years.

“It would allow us to have a privately-run nursery on our site and allow a smooth transition of children into a mainstream primary school, which means it would also be beneficial for our teachers.

“And if they do not come to Headlands after leaving the nursery, it still provides better-quality care through partnership working.”

Mr Pearce said the school would not profit from the nursery should it be given the go-ahead.

Documents submitted to council planners say the proposed extension would increase the size of the school site by 90 square metres and would also provide facilities for foundation stage and Key Stage One children, while not leading to any changes in access arrangements to the site.

And in a design and access statement which forms part of the application, Hugh Shearston, of the council’s property services section said: “The school already provides various facilities for the pupils, parents and the local community.

“The desire is to provide additional facilities which will enhance the school facilities. Locally, the nursery provider has canvassed local groups and have requests for accommodation which at the present time they cannot fulfil.”

A decision on the nursery proposals is expected to be made in July.