Nursery World - Campus childcare being lost around the country

Colleges and universities are closing nurseries because they are struggling financially or say they need more teaching space for 14 to 19 diplomas.

Busy Bees, which runs four college and university nurseries, is losing its nursery at Sutton Coldfield College in Birmingham.

Stepping Stones at Wales' largest further education college, Coleg Gwent, is also under threat, and two nurseries at the University of the West of Scotland are due to close in August (News, 12 February).

The 75-place nursery at Furness College in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, will shut at the end of July because it needs three more classrooms.

The nursery was originally due to close in 2011. Nursery manager Jean Fawcett said, 'They said the college was going to get funding from the Learning and Skills Council to build this fantastic sports facility and needed every inch of space. They are still waiting for funding. Then they claimed the nursery wasn't making a profit, but the college has charity status and the nursery can't be seen to make a profit.'

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included