A PETITION has been launched in a bid to save Coventry University’s nursery after its future was thrown into doubt.
Parents who use the university’s nursery said they received a letter on May 15 announcing plans to close the service, potentially this September, due to the financial challenges of keeping it open.
Parents using the service have expressed anxiety over the nursery’s potential closure, with some fearing they may need to leave their jobs or put a halt to their studies should it close down.
A petition launched by parents calls on the university to reconsider its plans and work with them, staff and community stakeholders to save the nursery and make it financially sustainable.
Joel Busher started the petition, which has gained over 900 signatures so far.
He said: “If the nursery closed in September, it would give staff little opportunity to find alternative employment.
“The nursery is heavily oversubscribed, and there is a significant shortage of nursery provision in central Coventry.
“While we acknowledge there are capacity issues at the nursery at present, these are issues that can be addressed over time, and with the right vision and support, the nursery could thrive.”
Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana backed the parent’s petition in parliament on Thursday (May 25).
In a speech, she praised the ‘excellent early years care and education’ provided by the service and said its closure would be ‘devastating’ and would have a disproportionate impact on women.
A spokesperson for Coventry University said no decision had been made yet but ‘it has fully evaluated the options’ and it’s became clear to them the service has not been financially viable for some time.
The spokesperson added increasing costs meant losses were set to continue and worsen.
“We are currently consulting colleagues and liaising with parents over the future of our Day Nursery, which is currently used by less than 30 of our almost 30,000 staff and students in the city.
“The building used for the nursery is approaching the end of its working life and replacing it would add to the current losses. Colleagues are now being consulted over the potential closure of the site.”
The spokesperson added increasing costs and deficits were not unique to the university’s day nursery.
They also claimed the full impact of price rises was likely to further increase the deficit at the nursery from July.
Click here to sign the petition.
