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Just been told nursery closing at Christmas!

9 replies

BouncyTigger · 06/12/2006 10:40

DD started nursery this week and as I dropped her off today was given a letter by the very upset nursery staff who were told in a management meeting last night that the nursery has to close at christmas as it's not financially viable. They aparently need about another 30 sessions taken up.

Feeling annoyed and upset for the workers. DD is just 2 and it's the only nursery round here that caters for 2-4 year olds. So will now have to think about sending her to a private nursery at twice the cost.

Any advice as to whom to write to or what to do? I think it's pretty appalling to be given less that 2 weeks notice, and especially bad for the staff this close to christmas.

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wannaBeOnTopOfTheChristmasTree · 06/12/2006 10:49

is it a leapfrog by any chance?

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ParanoidSurreyHousewife · 06/12/2006 10:49

Your local children's information service should have details of alternative nurseies in the area. If you google using your council's name then their details should come up.

I guess that in effect you are being givwen a month's notice. Do you have a contract with the nursery - what is the notice period in that?

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BouncyTigger · 06/12/2006 11:51

No contract. It's a nursery/preschool at the local methodist church, but has it's own rooms etc.

Thanks for the advice re. Childrens Info Service Paranoid Surrey Housewife. I know where all the local nurseries are it's mainly that this one offers 2 1/2 hour sessions rather than 8am-1pm like the private nurseries. So it was great as I'm doing a small bit of freelance work at the moment but nothing regular and therefore it was cheap enough to keep sending her even when I didn't have any work.

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ParanoidSurreyHousewife · 06/12/2006 14:39

Unfortunately a lot of playgroups are suffering at presnt. The nursery funding isn't that much but I understand that next year they won't be allowed to charge a top-up amount for over 3s, so I know a couple which are closing down at Christmas.

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BouncyTigger · 06/12/2006 15:35

I understand their position but to tell people on the wednesday went the term finishes on friday next week I think is a bit short notice.

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BouncyTigger · 06/12/2006 15:35

I understand their position but to tell people on the wednesday went the term finishes on friday next week I think is a bit short notice.

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Cakehead · 06/12/2006 19:21

Bouncytigger - I sympathise. My DD's nursery is shutting on Friday, although we got a term's notice. It's happening a lot here (I'm in Surrey, by the way). This was a privately run nursery that had been going for 20 years - the top-up situation pushed the owner over the edge. I understand there is a national campaign against the closure of nurseries going on at the moment (sorry, don't have a name), but I wrote to my local MP complaining, as did other parents. Ultimately, it didn't change the situation, but I felt I'd made a stand.

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usandourlittlexmascracker · 13/12/2006 07:39

BouncyTigger

It might be worth phoning the private nurseries,if you haven't already, there are a few in my area that now offer 2 1/2 hour funded sessions.

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nannynick · 14/12/2006 07:14

It is sad when a pre-school/nursery has to close, but with the nursery education funding rules changing, many will struggle to survive - which seems to me to not be the idea of Every Child Matters.

One possible way around it, is to establish the pre-school as a charity (if it isn't already) and for parents to contribute on a voluntarily basis to funding the charity. It's a top-up fee as such, but I think it gets around the new rules, as it does not make the fee compulsory.

I expect the pre-school has been trying to find ways of staying open as long as possible, thus why you have been given short notice of closure. This is often the case with any business on the brink of closure, as they to keep trading as long as possible, while fighting off the debt collectors.

CIS should be made aware of the closure, it affects their figures they have to produce for government. CIS have a duty to provide a specific number of childcare places every year, and they will be losing places as this pre-school closes. So what are CIS doing about getting more affordable childcare/early education places? Can CIS give you a list of alternatives, such as other pre-schools/playgroups.

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