The City of London Corporation (CoL) are going to close the Children's Centre and day care provision for children 12 weeks to 3 years at the Aldgate School. As the local authority the CoL  are intent on removing this service from the community and presenting children and parents with limited unaffordable options elsewhere. They envisage the service will cease next year.

The Children's centre is a unique facility in the City of London. It provides invaluable early years development and is one of the few with safe outside spaces. It also offers vital support services for families, such as stay and play sessions, health advice, administrative work, signposting/referrals to other services and help, crèche facilities to enable education and training for parents. It is a support hub for parents.

The Children's centre is at the heart of the community and is the only facility which provides affordable childcare to working parents.

If the Centre closes it will not only negatively impact the children but could seriously impact parent's employment options. The City of London is lacking other affordable facilities and waiting lists are long which could mean parents having to change or quit their jobs to care for their children.

The Centre employs highly qualified, experienced and committed child care professionals who are integral to exceptional early years education. This will mean staff who have worked at the children centre for many years losing their jobs.

The Centre is within The Aldgate School and provides invaluable continuity for children and parents from early years to primary education.

We want the City of London Corporation to ensure the Children's Centre at the Aldgate school remains open. We also urge them to explore how affordable services can be expanded to support working parents and children and to ensure they retain the dedicated staff who are fundamental to the service.