A SOUTHAMPTON pre-school could be set to close.

It comes after civic chiefs gave proposals to close the school in Redbridge the greenlight.

A consultation will now begin on whether or not to shut Little Pickles Pre-school, in Redbridge, following a decision by Southampton City Council’s cabinet on Tuesday.

Speaking at the meeting, cabinet member for education and skills, councillor Darren Paffey, said the reason behind the closure was due to the council already having “sufficient” pre-school places in the area.

He added there were a number of alternative facilities “within a minute’s walk” of Little Pickles.

This includes the “outstanding” rated Sticky Fingers.

According to the council’s report, Little Pickles, which has maintained a “good” Ofsted rating since its formation three years ago, currently has 20 children on its books.

Of those 20, the council say 12 will move to primary school in September, leaving eight who need alternative places.

The report also stated that the pre-school employs seven staff members, with the equivalent of 4.22 full-time staff.

If the pre-school is closed, the council plan to return some of the staff to posts within its Sure Start West programme, while the rest will be moved to other council run pre-schools.

The council says it has already informed impacted staff.

A consultation with parents will now begin with the authority hoping to close the facility in a “timely” manner after the feedback has been processed.