Ladywell Pre-school saved by parents' campaign
Parents were given 2 months' notice that the much-loved nursery was closing, and told to start looking for alternative childcare. But their campaign defied the odds and brought the parties back to the table to save the nursery.
Anna Ambrosi described her shock when she received the news that Ladywell Pre-school was closing, and she had two months' notice to find alternative childcare for her 3-year old son.
Parents and carers were told that the nursery was facing a large rent increase from Lewisham council. Early Years Alliance (EYA), a charity which operates nursery schools across the UK, planned to close the setting on 18 July unless a solution could be found before then.
Parents were worried about the tight timescales, but Ambrosi says, "we were not going to lose our beloved nursery without a fight". Within hours, the campaign to save the nursery was up and running.
Ambrosi is keen to tell the story of the parents' campaign:
"There are a lot of atrocious things going on in the world that we can't really affect .. it's overwhelming to look them from afar and know you can't really do much .. at best you can do some sort of light politics from your couch .. but we can and should wake up to what's on our doorstep!"
She argues that local stories may be humdrum and unglamorous with lower "social media-worth" than others, "but these are things where we can make a difference."
The key to the success of the campaign was, "really stubbornly writing, almost every day, to remind people that their not going the extra mile will have a ripple effect.
"We sent testimonies and researched the law, and we sent all the material we could to give our claim the human perspective it deserved: we were keen to remind everyone we were not just numbers.
"We told them, if we don't save the setting, five people are going to lose their jobs and 20 kids are going to lose their nursery and by extension 20 families won't have access to child care," Ambrosi says.
"And some people, likely women, will have to give up their jobs because - let's not dance around that - it's a severely gender-based issue."
Ambroisi jokes that as an Italian, perhaps she has a more direct manner than some of her fellow campaigners and she was prepared to be "very, very blunt".
She pointed out to one official: "At the end of this little battle, if the nursery is shut down, you will still be respected, you will still have your job .. I am going to be here with my child on my lap, unable to work."
The campaigners started emailing councillors and Vickie Foxcroft, their MP. They raised the issue at the next meeting of the Ladywell Society meeting, where they met the ward councillor Bill Brown.
"Ladywell Pre-school was unfortunately one of several nurseries across the country that EYA were consulting on closing," says Brown.
"EYA, like many private companies that operate nurseries, are experiencing significant financial pressures at the moment, including rising staffing costs."
He began working with the parents to re-open negotiations between EYA and Lewisham council.
The campaign got the press involved, including a segment on ITV, and kept pushing for meetings with everyone involved.
The nursery offers morning and afternoon 3 hour sessions, which map closely onto the government funded childcare hours. Ambrosi points out that the fees are very low compared with other nurseries in the area.
Providers argue that the government funding for 30 hours of childcare per week does not cover their costs.
Many private nurseries make up this difference by charging parents and carers for extended hours - eg from 8.00 am to 6pm - at a higher rate and for care during school holidays, whether they want these services or not.
The recent GLA report of London's childcare costs shows part-time childcare for 2 year olds in inner London with government funding, costs on average £90.25 per week while full-time childcare, with funding, costs £313.42 per week or £1,358 per month.
Parents and carers also stress that the Ladywell Preschool is exceptional in its support to families. This includes a record of early recognition of special needs, and offering genuine support to whole families, where they may need it.
"The staff genuinely care and have a human connection with the you and the family, in a holistic way... far beyond just giving your kid back to you at 3.30 saying he had a good day," says Ambrosi.
"And that's why we fought so fiercely! After this heartwarming success, I want people to know this is possible, with whatever large or small cause you have, go ahead and do it!"
Councillor Bill Brown confirmed: "I am pleased that the Early Years Alliance has confirmed they will keep Ladywell Pre-school open and sign a new rental agreement with the council.
"This decision followed discussions between Lewisham Labour’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Edison Huynh, Ladywell Labour councillors, parents and EYA.
"As a Lewisham Labour councillor, I am proud that Labour has a clear plan for childcare and early education - expanding funded hours, supporting the development of school-based nurseries, and investing in early years practitioners to ensure that every child in Lewisham gets the best start in life.”
Early Years Alliance did not respond to a request for comment.
Ladywell Pre-school has places available for children aged 2 - 4, starting in September. Enquire via website or call 07896 761497.
