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Protest held against imminent closure of nursery

Bea Swallow
BBC News, West of England
BBC Beth Crisan, a mother of a child who attends Steps Ahead Nursery, wearing a grey padded raincoat and a colourful knitted beanie hat. She is standing near the steps outside County Hall, holding a cardboard sign which says "full-time NHS nurse, no childcare, no work".BBC
The demonstration featured children's shoes and colourful handprints on the steps of County Hall, representing each child whose early education and care is at risk

Dozens of parents have been protesting against the imminent closure of a "beloved nursery" in Wiltshire rated "inadequate" by Ofsted.

The move comes after Ofsted said there were "continued breaches in requirements" at the Steps Ahead Day Nursery in Trowbridge, after an inspection in July.

On Friday, campaigners gathered outside Wiltshire Council's offices to plead with Ofsted and the local authority to reconsider the "devastating" decision.

Wiltshire Council said it had already tried to intervene and had offered support, but the "decision to cancel a provider's registration is solely an Ofsted process".

A blue and white sign for Steps Ahead Nursery, which is attached to a black fence on the perimeter of the car park. In the background you can see the nursery, which is a one-storey blue building with high windows.
The nursery has been given until Friday to make the necessary improvements

The Ofsted report, published in October, rated the nursery "inadequate" in four categories for the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

In a document published last week, Ofsted said the nursery had until Friday to take action.

It stated: "Due to the continued breaches in requirements, and the provider's lack of capacity to make the necessary improvements, we are now taking steps to cancel the provider's registration."

Stephanie Morrison, mother of a special needs child who attends Steps Ahead Nursery. She is wearing a pink hoodie underneath a black raincoat with a fur lined hood. She has long, straight brown hair and is looking at the camera. Behind her are the steps leading up to County Hall, where a demonstration has been set up with children's shoes lined up and handprints on the wall.
Stephanie Morrison is the mother of a child with special needs who attends the nursery

Stephanie Morrison, a concerned parent and group spokesperson, said the closure would be an "immense burden" on working families who rely on its services for childcare.

"The local authority's lack of support in providing viable alternatives is deeply concerning," she said.

"Rather than exploring solutions that would allow the nursery to stay open and continue serving our community, they have simply turned their backs on us.

"We urge the authorities to reconsider this decision and work with the nursery, rather than against it."

However, Wiltshire councillor Laura Mayes, cabinet member for children's services, said the authority had offered to help the owner find a provider to take over the business - but this offer had been declined.

It has since been informed the provider has issued redundancy notices to staff and asked parents to look for alternative childcare.

Frankie Simpkins, mother of a child who goes to Steps Ahead Nursery. She is wearing a pink knitted jumper underneath a khaki green padded raincoat. She has mid-length brown hair with bright blonde ends and highlights. Behind her are banners set up advocating for children to stay at the nursery.
Frankie Simpkins began an online petition to help save the nursery

Fellow mother Frankie Simpkins emphasised the emotional and developmental consequences for the children - who she says are "settled and thriving" at the nursery.

"Forcing them to relocate would disrupt their routines and emotional well-being," she said.

"The lack of available childcare elsewhere in the region exacerbates the situation, leaving us with limited options.

"What's most frustrating is that instead of working with the nursery to ensure improvements are made, Ofsted seems determined to push ahead with closure, despite the devastating impact on families."

In an online petition started by Ms Simpkins - which now has more than 1,000 signatures - she says the report is a "significant discrepancy" to what parents and carers observe daily.

"We ask for a balanced assessment," she wrote.

"One that takes into account the outstanding history, good inspection record, and the overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents and guardians."

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