Parents call for action as Oswestry primary school to close pre-school centre
Parents are outraged after finding out a pre-school that caters for 40 families is set to close, and have slammed 'damaging funding cuts.'
The closure comes following increasing demand on places at the primary school, and headteacher Rob McDevitt apologised for the announcement, but said it was no longer viable to keep the start centre open.
Jessica Carter from Oswestry, has two young children, one who attends the centre and another who was set to join in September.
She is outraged by the news, and has called for MP Owen Paterson to step in and get involved.
She said: "In each of these capacities I am horrified to hear about the closure of Start at Woodside, announced to parents on Friday June 23.
"This sudden announcement, four weeks before the end of the academic year, leaves over 70 children without a nursery place and a team of Ofsted outstanding staff without work. In the opinion of many, including myself, this is the best nursery in the area and we are about to lose it.
In his letter to parents, headteacher Rob McDevitt explains that this incredibly difficult decision comes first and foremost as a result of funding cuts to Sure Start services and now to schools.
"This is an outrage. People need to be made aware of the extent of the damage funding cuts are causing in our county.
"I would be very interested to hear what our MP has to say on this issue, as would many fellow Woodside parents I am certain. I will be contacting him shortly myself."
The school's governing body decided to take over the the centre, after Shropshire Council pulled the plug on its funding back in 2012.
The centre began in February 2006, and the local authority had originally committed to financing the centre.
The school took the decision to fund the shortfall through paid for breakfast clubs, after school clubs and holiday care for pupils.
However the centre continued to run at a loss and now costs over £60,000 per year more to run that it earns.
Governors found it would need to increase fees by over 40 per cent, with a full day feel for babies going from £16 to £55 per day, and toddlers £17 to £54, to keep it running.
Another parent, Rhiannon Williams whose daughter attends the Start Centre, has paid tribute to the service provided and has called for something to be done.
She added: "The nursery is full and starting to fill up for next year, this is ludicrous.
"They are the kindest, most hard working team of girls and I really do feel like they are an extension of family, my daughter loves each one of them.
"The way the poor ladies have been told is atrocious, to find out that you no longer have a job a couple of days before Christmas is awful, they have been such loyal staff.
"I would happy to do anything to keep the centre going."
Owen Paterson has been contacted for comment.
