Nursery World - Provision: Battle over campus nursery

Students and lecturers are campaigning against plans to privatise a university nursery.

More than 2,000 people have signed a petition against ExeterUniversity's decision to outsource the Family Centre, which is run bythe university as not-for-profit. Parents are worried that the qualityof the nursery, rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted, will fall if it is takenover by a private provider. They are also concerned that fees will riseand they will not have the choice to place their children at the nurseryduring term time only.

The Family Centre, opened in 1973, has 53 places, with 60 per cent usedby university staff and the remainder filled by students' children. Theuniversity predicts 100 places are needed.

A spokesman for Exeter University said, 'There are three pressing issueswith the Family Centre. It currently occupies a building that is comingto the end of its useful life, the growth of the centre has not keptpace with the growth of the university, and the opening hours are toorestrictive.

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