Shoebury Nursery, operated by the Early Years Alliance, is a well-established early years setting located in Shoeburyness, Essex. The nursery provides care and education for children aged from six weeks to five years, supporting families during the critical early stages of development. It follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, emphasizing learning through play and purposeful activity.

The setting is comprised of five well-equipped rooms and free-flow access to outdoor play areas. Its team of qualified, dedicated, and exceptionally friendly staff have created a nurturing environment where children thrive. Strong relationships between children, parents, and key workers are a hallmark of the setting, fostering a sense of trust, consistency, and emotional security.

On 20 May 2025, the Early Years Alliance issued a letter to parents announcing an organisational restructure, with Shoebury Nursery potentially facing closure. This unexpected development has caused considerable concern among families and, presumably, the staff team as well. Given the already limited availability of childcare in the local area, the news has placed considerable pressure on working parents, many of whom are now uncertain about securing alternative care.

The announcement has also had a profound effect on the nursery’s long-standing and dedicated team. Many of these staff members have devoted years to supporting local children and families, often going above and beyond in their care. To be given such short notice—particularly when many have financial responsibilities of their own—is not only unsettling, but raises serious questions about the handling of this process. The sudden nature of this announcement risks not only disrupting the care and emotional stability of the children who have built trusting bonds with their key workers, but also taking a significant toll on the well-being of the staff themselves. Surely, staff who have given so much to this setting deserve more notice, or at the very least, the opportunity to explore alternative roles within the organisation.

The timeline set out in the letter — with a decision expected during the week commencing 7 July and potential closure on 18 July — leaves families with little time to prepare or respond. Shoebury Nursery currently provides over 80 childcare places, and the prospect of these children being displaced poses a significant challenge, especially considering the scarcity of other local provisions.

Parents are deeply committed to keeping this valuable setting open. They have attempted to engage with the Early Years Alliance to explore possible avenues of support, including community-led initiatives, but have yet to receive an opportunity to present their proposals.

We urge the wider community to join us in supporting Shoebury Nursery and to help prevent the closure of a crucial early years service. Its loss would not only impact the families who rely on it but also leave a vital facility in our community standing empty.

Thank you for your support.