The council announced in March its plans to gradually withdraw the childcare services at Tenda Road Nursery in Bermondsey and Bishop’s House Children’s Centre over the next two years. It is thought that more than 20 jobs are at risk.
Tenda Road Nursery, which is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and Bishop’s House Children’s Centre are expected to close in September 2014, but will continue to run services and activities as normal.
According to Southwark Council, childcare services had to be axed due to Government cuts to its budget. In response to the outcry from parents, the council held a two-month long consultation into the future of childcare provision at the two centres.
Councillor Dora Dixon-Fyle, cabinet member for children’s services, said, ‘We are still considering the responses given to the consultation and will make a decision by the end of the month taking into account all the views expressed by parents and other interested parties along with the long-term sustainability of childcare provision in the borough following the £90 million cut to our funding from central Government.
‘Whatever the final decision, I would like to reassure parents that the council will ensure there is adequate childcare provision in the area.’
Liberal Democrat councillor for South Bermondsey ward Graham Neale described Southwark Council’s consultation as ‘flawed’, because the council had already taken the decision to shut the two centres in March.
Neale said, ‘Parents and local residents are quite adamant that they want the nurseries to stay open. Any consultation is just a waste of time and money; it’s patronising to local parents.’
He added, ‘Parents have been inspirational. They’ve led the campaign from day one. Now the council has been forced to quieten down and do a U-turn.’
Marta Szlendak, whose 20-month-old child goes to the Bishop’s House Children’s Centre, said, ‘It's a brilliant nursery and my child is very happy there. I don’t want the nursery to be closed as it provides an exceptional start for our little ones.’
Another parent, Fiona Cunningham, said, ‘Without this affordable nursery I could not return to work and would then have to live off benefits - surely a greater cost to the community?’
