Understaffing forces setting to close

• Kiddi Caru setting in Hertfordshire about to close
• Case highlights recruitment crisis across the country

One of the largest nursery groups in the country is to close its site in Redbourn next month due to recruitment difficulties.

Kiddi Caru, which runs 40 nurseries, said it has been a ‘continual struggle’ to recruit staff for Redbourn House Nursery and Pre-school in Hertfordshire.

The 88-place setting has 12 permanent members of staff, but needs 18 to be compliant with adult:child ratios.

Les Petits Chaperons Rouges bought Kiddi Caru in January 2017. The nursery is the only full-daycare setting in Redbourn.

A spokesperson for Kiddi Caru said, ‘The situation has become so acute that we are no longer able to staff the nursery adequately or effectively and we are not prepared to compromise our high standards when it comes to the care and education that we provide.’

The nursery has had to rely on agency staff, which the group said is not appropriate for its children and families. Staff from other settings have also been supporting the nursery, but Kiddi Caru said this is not a permanent solution because they have had to travel a long way.

The group said it has received communication from some interested parties regarding the future of the setting, which it is considering.

A spokesperson added, ‘It is with deep regret that we have made the decision to permanently close the doors of Redbourn House Day Nursery on 8 November. This decision had not been made lightly, with many factors being considered before reaching this conclusion.

‘Our priority is to assist and support the families, where possible, in the next four weeks with finding alternative childcare and our management team have up-to-date information on the current availability of day nurseries in the local vicinity.

‘We take pride in the amazing work our staff undertake every day and the commitment they show to the children in their care. We will of course be supporting them through this period and we are in the process of looking at alternative positions within the group should they wish to apply.’

Parent case study

Emma Warren’s two children, 14-month-old Felix and four-year-old Cora, started at the nursery just seven weeks ago.

Felix has additional needs including cerebral palsy and Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) – a type of newborn brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation and limited blood flow. Cora is under the care of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) as a result of witnessing the traumatic birth of her brother.

Ms Warren said, ‘It took us months to set up a place at the nursery for our children and seven weeks later it is closing.

‘Felix had a month of settling-in sessions. The staff at the nursery were trained to deal with Felix’s seizures and his day-to-day care. The nursery received multiple visits from physios and occupational therapists and put specialist resources and equipment in place. The staff have been amazing. My children have been so happy at the nursery and have made friends. Now we have to start the whole process again at another setting.’

Ms Warren has been able to secure places at another nursery, but said the fees are higher despite a goodwill discount.

She added, ‘We have been lucky in that we have found another nursery for our children, whereas a lot of the other parents are still unable to secure a place.

‘It’s only that I am on leave from work that I was able to sort childcare so quickly and speak with the relevant organisations concerned with the children’s care. One nursery told me they had received 30 calls in one morning from parents looking for places. Some settings require four weeks’ deposit, which many parents can’t afford when they have already paid money to Kiddi Caru.’