It is with great sadness that Sally Walton-Maxfield, Manager of The Oak Treehouse, Shepshed, announced the imminent closure of her nursery on 9th July 2024 following 16 years of service to the community. Leicestershire County Council have increased the rent, adding further to operational costs for the property on the Iveshead School Campus. This has made the nursery non-viable moving forward. Despite extensive waiting lists, the increase in fees for parents would not be cost effective and Sally has been forced to close the nursery.

Consequently, this leaves 75 children without a nursery place from 31st July 2024 and working parents at a loss to find childcare in time due to long waiting lists at the few alternative nursery providers in Shepshed. Sally will also be forced to make 17 of her valued staff redundant.

Parents are writing to our local MP, Jeevan Sandher, to ask him to support our community to challenge Leicestershire County Council's rent costs and will include this petition. Please can we encourage you to share this petition widely amongst friends and family in support of Sally's nursery and the staff, children and families impacted. 

Nursery details: The Oak Treehouse Nursery, Forest Street, Shepshed, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 9DB Ofsted rating: Good