College nursery's future under threat

Cirencester College is currently in talks with staff and parents about the future of its Bright Eyes nursery after a surveyor’s report indicated that the building won’t last another winter.

The modular building was built over ten years ago and funded with a Government early years grant. The college has run a nursery or crèche for 24 years.

Letters have been sent to parents informing them that the 52-place nursery, which is rated good by Ofsted and open to both students and the local community, will likely close, unless an alternative solution can be found.

The college for sixth form students says it has been aware for some time that the building was deteriorating, but it does not have the money to fund new premises at an expected cost of £450,000 for a permanent building.

According to Cirencester College’s principal Kim Clifford, they are exploring a number of possible arrangements for delivery of the provision including partnering with another provider.

A final decision about the future of the nursery, which also provides placements for childcare students at the college, will be made at the end of the month when the college’s 30-day consultation period ends.

Vice-principal Libby Reed said, ‘Our funding has been severely cut, and we just can’t justify spending money meant for sixth formers on new nursery premises.

‘We were told a year ago that the building won’t last another winter, despite our continual maintenance of the premises.

‘We’ve been trying to secure funding and are in talks with local partners.

‘The inside of the nursery is beautiful and we have fantastic members of staff. The setting  benefits from the college’s services including the small animal centre, and our leadership. Our fees are also very reasonable as we’ve kept rates down because of the state of the building.’

She added, ‘The college has run a nursery or crèche for 24 years.’