Parents' concern over closure of Herringthorpe nursery

The parent, who did not wish to be named, said reasons behind the closure of Ducklings Nursery at Herringthorpe United Reformed Church on Wickersley Road, “didn’t stack up”.

He said the four staff members had been told about the closure three months ago and it was due to shut at the end of the month.

“There’s been no consultation with staff with regards to why it’s closing,” the dad said.

“The reasons they have given don’t seem to stack up.

“It seems to be being blamed on lack of numbers but they have had more kids sign up for this coming year than any other.

“It makes a profit, yet not all the information has been made available to the church committee, so quite a lot of information is being withheld.

“It does not seem to make a lot of sense.”

The morning-only nursery, which caters for two to five year olds, was rated “good” by Ofsted in 2017, with some outstanding features.

Inspectors said staff were “devoted” to their responsibilities and “all children, including those who have special educational needs were making good individual progress”.

The report said 32 places were available and 19 children were on its roll, which had increased from nine children when it opened in 2012.

The parent claimed families had not been asked if their child would be returning for the next term before the decision was announced to close the group.

He said around 19 families had said they wanted to return the following academic year.

“Parents are in a position where they are struggling to find spaces for their kids in the local vicinity,” he said.

“The ladies there have done a sterling job for my family, I am really grateful, it’s just really saddening that another place is closing.”

Tom Knight, chairman of the Ducklings Management Committee, said it had been a “regrettable” decision to close and there were “several reasons” behind it.

Mr Knight explained: “One in five nurseries nationally are struggling financially and we are no different.

“The manager resigned earlier in the year and we decided to review the whole set-up.

“We are down on numbers for next September. 

“The 30-hour free childcare provision is making a big impact as parents are taking that up at schools as we can only offer 15 hours.”

Mr Knight said a rise in the National Living Wage and the increasing pressure on volunteers to cover the nursery’s administrative, management and OFSTED requirements, were also a factor.

He added: “Our main income comes from what our members put into the collection plate on Sunday.”

Mr Knight said the church had contributed £12,000 to Ducklings since 2012 and alternative places for children had been found at a nearby nursery.

He denied claims registration numbers for next term were high, but said he was not in a position to discuss the figures.