Dismayed Shrewsbury nursery told to leave building

Sunflower House Nursery is part of the Hazles Farm Childcare group and has more than 90 children on its register aged up to five.

But the centre on Kendal Road, Harlescott has been earmarked by Shropshire Council to become one of seven new hubs following the reorganisation of Sure Start.

The plug was pulled last year on the Sure Start scheme and the proposals for the new Early Help Family Hubs were put forward.

The services are intended to be a ‘one-stop shop’ for all children under five and their families. They include coffee mornings to drop-in sessions and social events.

But Kerry Owen, area manager from Hazles farm, said the staff and parents of the children who attend Sunflower House have been left dismayed at the decision not to renew the lease.

She said: "When we heard about Sure Start, the council said the hub for this area would be at Richmond House. But they have now decided to use Sunflower House meaning we can't be here any longer. We received an end of tenancy notice last week and we have until August 30.

"It was the first we had heard about it. We knew of the consultation but we were told it would be a rejigging of the services. We were not told it could lead to this. We were unaware of the effects this could have on us, as users of the building.

"We have been in touch with the council asking for help to find new premises in the area."

The nursery currently has spaces for children with special educational needs, from low or no income families and also offers 30 hours child care.

The Hazles Farm group does have another nursery nearby but it would be difficult for that building to accommodate the children currently registered.

Kerry said: "There is not enough room for everybody there. It would take a lot of work to the building to make it work. None of the nurseries in the area offer care for babies up to three months old. Parents are struggling for childcare children under two. We have consistently been rated as good by Ofsted and this is going to have a major impact."

Karen Bradshaw, director of children’s services, said: “As part of our plans to deliver children’s centre services from seven key buildings - or hubs – from April 2019, we’re ending the lease with the company that currently runs the nursery at Sunflower House, which is to be one of the seven hubs. However, we’re very happy to work with them to find an alternative venue for the nursery and are confident that they will find a new location soon.”

Kerry added: "We want to work together with the council to find a free building. Hopefully they will be able to relocate us in to one of the many vacant buildings there are nearby."