Hackney nursery to close in days with parents scrambling to find new places for children

The nursery is set to close in weeks. Photograph: Daiga Ellaby / Unsplash

A Hackney nursery is facing closure, with parents given just 29 days to make alternative arrangements for their children.

Parents were told on March 2 that Hackney Day Nursery & Preschool in London Fields would be closing at the end of the month. According to bosses at the Family First Group, which owns the nursery, said it had stopped being profitable.

In a letter to parents seen by the Citizen, the group’s operations director, James Chaplin. said the nursery would be closing “following a sustained period of low occupancy and a continued decline in demand”.

“It has become increasingly difficult to operate the Hackney Nursery and Day Care School in a financially sustainable way”, the letter said.

“Although we have carefully explored a range of initiatives and options to improve viability, unfortunately, none have had the meaningful impact needed to secure the nursery’s long-term future”.

Chaplin said the decision to close the nursery had “not been taken lightly”. 

He continued: “We fully recognise that this nursery is so much more than a building; it is a community, a place of learning, and a source of stability and care for your children and our families”, he continued.

“We are truly proud of what has been built here and of the unwavering dedication shown by our teams and families over the years”.

Chaplin added that the nursery had sister facilities in other areas of London including Clapham, Dulwich and Hammersmith. For many parents – and the staff members who work at the nursery and face the prospect of losing their jobs – these facilities are simply too far away.

Parent Thomas Knapp said he has found alternative arrangements for his child, but with Hackney Day Nursery proving a more affordable option than other facilities in the area – many of which are already at capacity – the change will hit the family hard.

“It’s going to make things very tight for us financially”, he told the Citizen. “It’s pretty disruptive to the kids [too].

“This will mean multiple changes between our children starting nursery and them going to school.

“One of [my son’s carers] has been there since he was nine months old. Obviously the staff are emotionally invested in the children they look after as well”.

A spokesperson for the nursery said: “We have made the very difficult decision to close Hackney Day Nursery and Pre School at the end of March.

“Despite significant efforts to grow occupancy and secure the nursery’s long-term future, demand has continued to decline and it is no longer financially sustainable to operate.

“Our focus now is on supporting the children, families and colleagues affected by this closure. We are working closely with parents to help them find suitable alternative childcare, including within our other nurseries across London where places are available, as well as providing information on local provision.

“We are equally committed to supporting our team and are actively exploring opportunities for colleagues to continue their careers within our wider nursery group wherever possible.

“Hackney Nursery has been a valued part of the local community, and we are incredibly proud of the care and education our team has provided. We would like to thank our families for the trust they have placed in us and our staff for their dedication and professionalism.

“We understand this will be upsetting news and are doing everything we can to ensure the transition is handled with care and support for everyone involved.”