Save 0–2 childcare at The Aldgate School – the City of London’s only affordable provider
The Issue
"Without access to affordable childcare, I would face the very real prospect of leaving my job. At a time when so many families are already struggling with the cost of living, losing this provision would have consequences far beyond childcare itself."
– Parent, The Aldgate School 0–2 childcare
"The proposed closure would disproportionately affect women, who continue to carry most caring responsibilities. It would make it harder for mothers to remain in or return to work, while also costing the jobs of the entirely female workforce who deliver the provision."
– Parent, The Aldgate School 0–2 childcare
"The Aldgate School's early years provision was designed as a seamless pathway from infancy through to Reception. It gives children stability, keeps siblings together, supports working parents and creates a connected school community. That continuity is now at risk."
– Parent, The Aldgate School 0–2 childcare
"As a frontline NHS worker in a busy central London hospital, access to this provision is invaluable. Without it, continuing to work would not be financially viable for me, and I may be forced to reduce or leave my NHS role altogether. The Aldgate School's early years provision not only supports children to thrive but also enables key workers such as myself to remain in the workforce and continue serving our communities."
– Parent, The Aldgate School 0–2 childcare
WHAT’S HAPPENING
In March 2024, the City of London Corporation began the process of withdrawing funding for the Aldgate School's 0–2 childcare provision, ending a subsidy that has supported the service for 23 years.
The Aldgate School – rated Outstanding by Ofsted – is the only state primary school in the Square Mile and serves its most disadvantaged community. The funding is being withdrawn following the City’s decision to close the school's Children's Centre, with resources redirected into a new Family Hubs model, distributed around various locations in the Square Mile.
While we welcome wider access to family support services, Family Hubs are not a replacement for affordable childcare.
Following sustained opposition from parents, residents, journalists, Rachel Blake MP, the GMB, City of London Councillors and Members of the Community and Children's Services Committee, a final decision has been repeatedly delayed. The Committee is now due to make its decision on 8 September 2026.
THE FACTS
• The City says: "There are sufficient childcare places in the City."
There are not.
The Aldgate School is the only childcare provider in the eastern part of the Square Mile.
It is the City's only school-based nursery, located in the area's most disadvantaged community. In June 2026, The Portal Trust, the school’s Trustee and Voluntary Aiding Body, renewed its agreement for the school to continue using the site for the childcare provision.
Alternative providers, all based in the more affluent west and north of the City, and all private, profit-making companies, are unaffordable for many working City families, even with government assistance.
The alternatives are also reducing, with one provider relocating to a different borough and another facing safeguarding concerns.
• The City says: "We want children's services to be more equitable."
Family Hubs and school-based nurseries provide different services.
The Government's Best Start strategy identifies school-based nurseries as a key part of improving affordable childcare and encourages local authorities to expand them – not replace them with Family Hubs.
Closing the City's only school-based nursery runs directly against that approach.
• The City says "We can't afford it."
The subsidy required has already been reduced from £174,000 to up to £60,000 per year following revised financial planning by the school.
That represents just 0.02% of the City's £300 million annual budget.
The nursery is legally and financially separate from the primary school, and the Governing Body has confirmed it cannot operate without continued support.
• The City says: "Only 2 City children use it."
This is incorrect.
The nursery currently serves 8 City children, rising to 9 from September 2026.
City families are always given priority, with fee levels designed to make places affordable for local residents. Where City places are not filled, they are offered to non-City families – many of whom also work in the City – to ensure the provision remains viable.
WHY THIS MATTERS
If funding ends:
Working families will lose the only affordable 0–2 childcare provision in the City.
Experienced early years staff will lose their jobs.
Children will lose a high-quality setting that provides continuity from infancy into primary school.
Parents – particularly mothers – will find it harder to remain in or return to work.
Meanwhile, the Government is investing in expanding school-based nurseries across England. Closing the City's only existing provision moves in the opposite direction.
For a relatively small investment, the City can protect a proven service that supports children, families and the wider community.
We urge the City of London Corporation to continue funding this unique and successful provision.
Please sign this petition to help protect affordable childcare for current and future families at The Aldgate School.
MEDIA
How has it come to this?
Jason Pritchard, LinkedIn, 7 July 2026
Aldgate School Early Learning Provision Still Under Threat As City Of London Councillor Helen Fentimen Successfully Pushes For Further Delay To Decision About Its Future
reclaimec1, 3 July 2026
Future of City of London's 'only affordable nursery' uncertain after decision delayed again
Ben Lynch, My London, 1 July 2026
'Outstanding' Central London school may have affordable childcare secured after outcry
Ben Lynch, My London, 25 June 2026
Parents petition City of London not to end 0-2 childcare at 'Outstanding' local school
Ben Lynch, My London, 4 June 2026
Childcare for 0-2s at City of London's only state primary saved for another year as funding extended
Ben Lynch, My London, 20 June 2025
Parents send 'crystal clear' message over future of childcare provision at City of London school
Ben Lynch, My London, 28 May 2025
'Outstanding' London nursery gets stay of execution as funding for ages 0-2 extended for a year
Ben Lynch, My London, 17 January 2025
On The Proposed Closure Of The City Of London Family & Children’s Centre At The Aldgate School
reclaimec1, 20 November 2024
1,284
The Issue
"Without access to affordable childcare, I would face the very real prospect of leaving my job. At a time when so many families are already struggling with the cost of living, losing this provision would have consequences far beyond childcare itself."
– Parent, The Aldgate School 0–2 childcare
"The proposed closure would disproportionately affect women, who continue to carry most caring responsibilities. It would make it harder for mothers to remain in or return to work, while also costing the jobs of the entirely female workforce who deliver the provision."
– Parent, The Aldgate School 0–2 childcare
"The Aldgate School's early years provision was designed as a seamless pathway from infancy through to Reception. It gives children stability, keeps siblings together, supports working parents and creates a connected school community. That continuity is now at risk."
– Parent, The Aldgate School 0–2 childcare
"As a frontline NHS worker in a busy central London hospital, access to this provision is invaluable. Without it, continuing to work would not be financially viable for me, and I may be forced to reduce or leave my NHS role altogether. The Aldgate School's early years provision not only supports children to thrive but also enables key workers such as myself to remain in the workforce and continue serving our communities."
– Parent, The Aldgate School 0–2 childcare
WHAT’S HAPPENING
In March 2024, the City of London Corporation began the process of withdrawing funding for the Aldgate School's 0–2 childcare provision, ending a subsidy that has supported the service for 23 years.
The Aldgate School – rated Outstanding by Ofsted – is the only state primary school in the Square Mile and serves its most disadvantaged community. The funding is being withdrawn following the City’s decision to close the school's Children's Centre, with resources redirected into a new Family Hubs model, distributed around various locations in the Square Mile.
While we welcome wider access to family support services, Family Hubs are not a replacement for affordable childcare.
Following sustained opposition from parents, residents, journalists, Rachel Blake MP, the GMB, City of London Councillors and Members of the Community and Children's Services Committee, a final decision has been repeatedly delayed. The Committee is now due to make its decision on 8 September 2026.
THE FACTS
• The City says: "There are sufficient childcare places in the City."
There are not.
The Aldgate School is the only childcare provider in the eastern part of the Square Mile.
It is the City's only school-based nursery, located in the area's most disadvantaged community. In June 2026, The Portal Trust, the school’s Trustee and Voluntary Aiding Body, renewed its agreement for the school to continue using the site for the childcare provision.
Alternative providers, all based in the more affluent west and north of the City, and all private, profit-making companies, are unaffordable for many working City families, even with government assistance.
The alternatives are also reducing, with one provider relocating to a different borough and another facing safeguarding concerns.
• The City says: "We want children's services to be more equitable."
Family Hubs and school-based nurseries provide different services.
The Government's Best Start strategy identifies school-based nurseries as a key part of improving affordable childcare and encourages local authorities to expand them – not replace them with Family Hubs.
Closing the City's only school-based nursery runs directly against that approach.
• The City says "We can't afford it."
The subsidy required has already been reduced from £174,000 to up to £60,000 per year following revised financial planning by the school.
That represents just 0.02% of the City's £300 million annual budget.
The nursery is legally and financially separate from the primary school, and the Governing Body has confirmed it cannot operate without continued support.
• The City says: "Only 2 City children use it."
This is incorrect.
The nursery currently serves 8 City children, rising to 9 from September 2026.
City families are always given priority, with fee levels designed to make places affordable for local residents. Where City places are not filled, they are offered to non-City families – many of whom also work in the City – to ensure the provision remains viable.
WHY THIS MATTERS
If funding ends:
Working families will lose the only affordable 0–2 childcare provision in the City.
Experienced early years staff will lose their jobs.
Children will lose a high-quality setting that provides continuity from infancy into primary school.
Parents – particularly mothers – will find it harder to remain in or return to work.
Meanwhile, the Government is investing in expanding school-based nurseries across England. Closing the City's only existing provision moves in the opposite direction.
For a relatively small investment, the City can protect a proven service that supports children, families and the wider community.
We urge the City of London Corporation to continue funding this unique and successful provision.
Please sign this petition to help protect affordable childcare for current and future families at The Aldgate School.
MEDIA
How has it come to this?
Jason Pritchard, LinkedIn, 7 July 2026
Aldgate School Early Learning Provision Still Under Threat As City Of London Councillor Helen Fentimen Successfully Pushes For Further Delay To Decision About Its Future
reclaimec1, 3 July 2026
Future of City of London's 'only affordable nursery' uncertain after decision delayed again
Ben Lynch, My London, 1 July 2026
'Outstanding' Central London school may have affordable childcare secured after outcry
Ben Lynch, My London, 25 June 2026
Parents petition City of London not to end 0-2 childcare at 'Outstanding' local school
Ben Lynch, My London, 4 June 2026
Childcare for 0-2s at City of London's only state primary saved for another year as funding extended
Ben Lynch, My London, 20 June 2025
Parents send 'crystal clear' message over future of childcare provision at City of London school
Ben Lynch, My London, 28 May 2025
'Outstanding' London nursery gets stay of execution as funding for ages 0-2 extended for a year
Ben Lynch, My London, 17 January 2025
On The Proposed Closure Of The City Of London Family & Children’s Centre At The Aldgate School
reclaimec1, 20 November 2024
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Petition created on 1 June 2026