A Lincolnshire nursery could face closure if alternative premises cannot be found.
The Pre-School Learning Alliance, which runs Willowtree Nursery in Lincoln, has just six weeks to secure new premises for the nursery.
Last week, the nursery’s 11 members of staff were given redundancy notices, in the event that the nursery has to close.
Willowtree Nursery is currently based in the grounds of Priory Witham Academy Infant site, which is closing at the end of this term and transferring to Priory Witham Academy.
Parents will have the option of transferring their children to the Academy’s purpose-built nursery within the setting’s new children’s centre due to open in September.
A spokesperson for the Pre-School Learning Alliance said, ‘Willowtree Nursery is not closing but is having to relocate and should be on a new site from September.
‘Due to this change in our circumstances and the uncertainty it is causing Willowtree, we have instigated a redundancy consultation with our staff in case we are unable to secure new premises.
‘We are working with the local authority to find new premises and the consultation process will end when we have confirmation of a new site in central Lincoln.’
The Alliance has also raised concerns over where parents will find childcare over the summer holidays if they are unable to provide care themselves.
Debbie Barnes, Lincolnshire County Council’s assistant director of children's services, said, ‘We have been working with the Witham Academy over the last two years to create a purpose-built nursery facility within the new children’s centre on their site. However, we do recognise that the existing provision at the Willowtree Nursery is valued by parents and for this reason we are working with the Pre-school Learning Alliance on the continuation and possible relocation of this service within the Lincoln area, giving parents even greater choice. Should this not be possible, we’ll then work with the PLA to find alternative childcare for over the summer holidays.’
Last week, the nursery’s 11 members of staff were given redundancy notices, in the event that the nursery has to close.
Willowtree Nursery is currently based in the grounds of Priory Witham Academy Infant site, which is closing at the end of this term and transferring to Priory Witham Academy.
Parents will have the option of transferring their children to the Academy’s purpose-built nursery within the setting’s new children’s centre due to open in September.
A spokesperson for the Pre-School Learning Alliance said, ‘Willowtree Nursery is not closing but is having to relocate and should be on a new site from September.
‘Due to this change in our circumstances and the uncertainty it is causing Willowtree, we have instigated a redundancy consultation with our staff in case we are unable to secure new premises.
‘We are working with the local authority to find new premises and the consultation process will end when we have confirmation of a new site in central Lincoln.’
The Alliance has also raised concerns over where parents will find childcare over the summer holidays if they are unable to provide care themselves.
Debbie Barnes, Lincolnshire County Council’s assistant director of children's services, said, ‘We have been working with the Witham Academy over the last two years to create a purpose-built nursery facility within the new children’s centre on their site. However, we do recognise that the existing provision at the Willowtree Nursery is valued by parents and for this reason we are working with the Pre-school Learning Alliance on the continuation and possible relocation of this service within the Lincoln area, giving parents even greater choice. Should this not be possible, we’ll then work with the PLA to find alternative childcare for over the summer holidays.’