Windsor Academy Trust (parents were informed during the initial consultation meeting) are proposing to close Little Colliers Neighbourhood Nursery on Colley Lane due to it's financial viability.

Little Colliers have served families in the local community for years as a Sure Start Centre and over the last two years under Windsor Academy Trust.

We believe that, should the closure go ahead, it will have a long-term negative impact on the children, parents and the dedicated professionals within. Consequently this will have a detrimental effect educationally and socially both now and in the future.

The proposal makes no economic sense given the proposed financial strategies the nursery staff and parents have put forward. (including a very detailed business plan) which would ensure the nursery does not run into the forecasted deficit of approx £20,000.

If the proposed date of closure goes ahead (Friday 21st December, when it closes for Christmas holiday) 16 jobs will be lost and more than 60 children will no longer have a childcare provider. The impact of the latter being 60+ children with no alternative childcare due to all nurseries being at full capacity for the forth coming January intake, leading to unemployment for many working families. This is unacceptable.

Furthermore, Little Colliers Nursery is one of the very few nurseries that are able to support children with special educational needs working in partnership with Dudley Specialist Early Years Service and currently have around 10 children at the nursery receiving this support. This kind of support setting is so scarce! It will be almost impossible to find another provider that can accept and support these children's needs.

We have been informed that the fate of our local neighbourhood nursery will be decided on Thursday 29th November (just over 3 weeks before the original proposed date of closure!) when a report will be put forward to the board for consideration.

May we continue our community support by petitioning against the closure of yet ANOTHER valuable nursery.

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Thank you.