News

Hackney parents fight to save children's centres from closure

Provision
A group pf parents are campaigning against the proposed closure of two children’s centres in Hackney, which together provide more than 100 childcare places.
The @Save_Fernbank campaign group is calling on Hackney City Council to keep the two children's centres open
The @Save_Fernbank campaign group is calling on Hackney City Council to keep the two children's centres open

In September, Hackney City Council launched a consultation on the closure of Hillside and Fernbank children’s centres due to a drop in demand for nursery places. According to the council, the centres are ‘situated in an area where increasing numbers of children are attending independent settings’. The consultation closes on 16 November.

The closure of the children’s centres would result in a loss of 109 childcare places and could see 27 nursery staff face redundancy.

Parents and the local community have launched a petition calling on the Mayor of Hackney, Phillip Glanville, and the cabinet member for families, early years, parks and play, Councillor Caroline Woodley, to keep both children’s centres open and ‘show their commitment to supporting working families, particularly those on lower incomes who are already struggling to pay childcare costs’. The petition has received 414 signatures so far.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Unlimited access to news and opinion

  • Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here