West London Nurseries Saved from Closure by Community Campaign
Hillingdon Council has outsourced its nurseries to a new provider after a successful resident campaign
Hillingdon, London, UK, Nurseries, Community Campaign
Hillingdon: So, guess what? The local council just made a big move to save our nurseries! After a lot of fuss from the community, they’ve decided to outsource the early years centres to a new provider. It’s all thanks to the residents who rallied together to keep these places open.
Back in 2022, the council wanted to shut down all three nurseries because they said there weren’t enough kids and it was too expensive. Parents were furious and formed a group called ‘Save Hillingdon Nurseries’ to fight back.
They didn’t just stop at protests; they even took legal action! They pointed out that the council didn’t follow the right procedures and didn’t consult the public properly. This got the council to rethink their decision and keep the nurseries open.
One of the parents, Alex Sim, was super involved in the campaign. He shared how important the South Ruislip Early Years Centre was for his family, especially during the pandemic when they needed it the most. He’s really proud of what they achieved together.
Now, the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF) will run the nurseries for the next 15 years. They’re a big deal in the UK, managing lots of nurseries across London. The council believes this will help maintain high-quality education for the little ones.
While the council will still handle some children’s services, LEYF is set to take over the nursery operations. They’re promising a smooth transition and that all the current staff will stay on board, which is great news for everyone.
Overall, it’s a win for the community, and parents are encouraged to enroll their kids in these nurseries. It’s all about keeping our children happy and well-cared for!