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Are HMRC nursery closures a sign of what's to come?

The future of Government department nurseries has been put in doubt following the announcement that the HMRC is to close all of its nurseries operated by Bright Horizons and news that the Land Registry has closed two of its settings.

Last month, Bright Horizons confirmed the closure of the eight nurseries it runs for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), in partnership with management company Mapeley, which owns the buildings.

The settings, most of which are rated good or outstanding by Ofsted and provide a total of 300 places, will close in November.

The reason HMRC has given for the closure is that providing childcare facilities is no longer part of its 'core business', which is collecting revenue and paying benefits and credits. The Government department also claims that the majority of places at the nurseries are not taken up by children of HMRC staff.

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