Parents and staff heartbroken by nursery closure after council doubles bills

Parents and staff have expressed their devastation after Oak Treehouse Nursery announced it was to close. Shepshed nursery told parents this week it would close its doors at the end of the month after learning it would quadruple costs.

The nursery has been part of the community for 16 years. Managing director Sally Walton-Maxfield said in her letter that the decision was “the hardest of her life”, adding that it “hurts her deeply” that she could not find a solution.

She told LeicestershireLive: “As you can imagine this is a very difficult time for both staff and parents. Our rent, including operating costs, has quadrupled.

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“We want to express our gratitude to all parents for their support during this difficult time. We are also grateful to all the staff who have helped make Oak Treehouse what it is today and we will miss all the children and parents.”

The site is owned by Leicestershire County Council, which also sets the rent and service charges for the nursery. The council said current costs totaled around £15,000. He admitted they were currently aiming to raise them to £60,000.

Senior member for children and families and acting council leader Deborah Taylor said the authority had had “some discussions” with the nursery to see if “there was a way forward” but had failed to “reach a workable solution “. She added: “We appreciate this is a difficult time but we will work with parents to find alternative places for their children in the area.”

A number of parents contacted LeicestershireLive to express their devastation at the news. One described the nursery as being “in the heart of hundreds of families for 16 years”, saying the news was “heartbreaking” for “everyone past and present”.

She added: “The staff are incredible, they care and love our children and always go above and beyond.” Her child is currently in daycare and she said she now has to find a new placement in three weeks, although most settings have waiting lists.

Another Shepshed resident said both her children, now aged 16 and 13, went to the nursery, describing it as “fabulous”. Rebecca Cox added: “The team have been and still are simply fantastic. They created a safe space for children to thrive and became a second family to our girls. The transition to school was much easier than it could have been simply because of the teams dedication to early school skills and confidence building. But most importantly, they looked after each child according to their individual needs.”

She continued: “The children’s parents are also devastated and, given the short notice of the closure, are facing challenges in finding local support. All childminders are currently full. (They’re worried about) how they’re going to continue to work or find a daycare close enough that’s conducive to dropping out of school and getting to work on time.”

A third parent said she has a child currently in daycare and hopes to send her younger child there in the new year. She said: “They all work so hard for our children and love them all as if they were their own. (…)

“I am very aware of how they see the needs and passions of each individual, how strongly they feel about caring for the children they are entrusted with. I can’t stress enough how amazing they all are.”

She added: “I’m desperately considering other nurseries but they just don’t compare to Sally’s fantastic team and setting. Not only have they supported my first born to be the fantastically intelligent and passionate boy that he is, but they have also been a huge support, always willing to have a chat and a hug if needed; being that vital village of people in our community where our wider family all live an hour away.”

An online petition has also been set up calling on the new local MP Jeevun Sandher to challenge the tax hike on behalf of the local community. It was signed 558 times in two days.

Mr Sandher told LeicestershireLive: “Like all the parents who have contacted me, I am deeply concerned about the closure of Oak Tree Nursery. As every parent knows, the early years are the most important in a child’s life. I’m here to serve Shepshed’s parents I will do everything I can to help the families affected and make sure they have the excellent care every child deserves.”

Councilor Taylor said: “Since the school became an academy, the nursery building has become the responsibility of the council. The costs and service charges have been reviewed to ensure they are in line with current market rental prices and service charges.

“We had a few discussions with the nursery to see if there was a way forward but unfortunately we were unable to come to a viable solution. We appreciate this is a difficult time but will work with parents to find alternative places for their children in the area.”

Letter to parents

“Dear Parents,

“It is with great sadness that I am writing this letter to you all, a letter that I hoped I would never have to write. I am completely shocked that our rent and operating costs have quadrupled. This has made the nursery to be unviable Before Even if we were currently operating a waiting list, the money we would need to raise fees would not be cost-effective for everyone.

“It is therefore with deep and sincere sadness that I am writing to inform you that The Oak Treehouse will be closing after 16 years on 31 July 2024. This has been the hardest decision of my life, one that I have tried hard to avoid it. I have to do, especially as I value all the hard work and commitment from all the staff who have stayed with me for a long time. The Nursery would not be what it is today without them and it hurts me deeply that I cannot find a solution.

“I have explored all other possibilities of continuing to run The Oak Treehouse, but unfortunately I have no more options… I wish I had given you more attention so I could find alternatives, but it has now been taken out from my hands

“I wish you all the best for the future,

“Sally xx”