ITV reporter Antoine Allen on the threatened closure of the Ladywell nursery
A Lewisham nursery that has served local families for nearly two decades is at risk of closure, prompting a wave of concern from parents, carers, and community leaders.
The Early Years Alliance, which runs Ladywell Pre-School in Brockley, has begun a consultation on its future, citing “acute financial pressure” caused by what they say is long-term underfunding in the early years sector.
They say the challenge has been worsened by rising staff costs and a near tenfold increase in rent introduced in April.
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Giving every child the best start in life is central to our mission to break the unfair link between background and success, and through our Plan for Change, we’ll get thousands more children school-ready by aged 5.
“We recognise that the closure of a nursery can place unexpected pressure on parents, which is why we’re investing over £8 billion this year into early years, including a £75m grant to support providers to deliver more childcare places, a record uplift to the Early Years Pupil Premium, and rolling out our school-based nurseries programme.
“Local authorities have a statutory duty to ensure there is sufficient childcare and that eligible children can continue to access their funded hours, even when individual providers close.”
The setting currently supports around 40 children aged two to five and offers 30 hours of free childcare to families during term time. Parents fear that if the pre-school shuts, they will be left looking for alternatives that are either unaffordable or unavailable.
The Early Years Alliance said: “We would like to reiterate that, at this stage, this is a proposal only and we will explore all options as we undertake a comprehensive staff consultation and continue ongoing discussions with Lewisham Council.
“We are incredibly grateful to our families for their ongoing support and understanding during this difficult time and will do all we can to give them the support they need throughout this process.”
The closure would also bring an end to a intergenerational partnership with the Alexander Nursing Home across the road, where children regularly visit elderly residents.
Local Green Party councillor Hau-Yu Tam is backing parents’ calls to save the pre-school.
She said: “It’s not a one-off case. It’s the second nursery to close in this ward [Ladywell] in as many months.
“We’re worried that this risks creating a child-care desert and an early education crisis in our borough.”
When asked why she thinks pre-schools are closing down, Cllr Tam said: “Child care is still being treated as separate to the education sector, but I’m clear – as a local councillor for the Green party – that we should be supporting the sector to the same level as the education sector.”
Lewisham Council, which owns the land the nursery sits on, confirmed it met with the Early Years Alliance this week.
A spokesperson said: “Early Years Alliance (EYA), who run Ladywell Pre-School, are currently consulting with parents on its future. This is part of a wider consultation involving a number of their settings, of which Ladywell is one, and is in response to a number of financial factors, including rising staffing costs.
“We know how important Ladywell Pre-School is to local families. Depending on the feedback we receive and outcome of EYA’s consultation, we will be ready to support any families impacted.”
Campaigners have launched a petition to keep the nursery open, which has gathered over 300 signatures.
Ladywell pre-school offers unique care to children, parents fear they won’t be able to find suitable childcare elsewhere.
A local grandparent writes
A local grandparent who had four of her grandchildren attend the Ladywell Pre-School says the threatened closure of the nursery would be a devastating blow for children, parents and carers
The Ladywell Pre-school on Rushey Mead is under threat after big increases in staffing costs and, more worryingly, a proposed tenfold increase in the rent charged on its premis
The pre-school nursery, run by the Early Years Alliance, is now planning to close in the new academic year (from September 2025).
Children thrive at this local and much-loved pre-school, open during school terms and with hours that cover the school day, which accommodates the needs of families with another child or children at primary school.
Clearly this is a worrying threat to an early years provider – but what would really be lost?
You’re three years old. You learn about the world through play. Textures and tastes. Making marks with chalk, with paints, with mud. Running, hopping, skipping. Using simple toys to imagine the world of big animals or dinosaurs. Caring for pets or babies through soft toy play.
Maybe you’re four and life skills are part of your expanding horizon. Learning to count, to cook, to hold and use pencils and crayons, dressing up, listening to stories. And developing the social skills for school – using a toilet, getting on with other children, knowing when to be quiet.
It sounds simple. But to do any of this requires trained and caring staff and a safe environment. I have four grandchildren all of whom have had early years education at Ladywell Pre-school.
Three are now in primary school, the youngest is looking forward to starting in September. In one child’s case, early recognition of special needs by the Pre-school enabled a statement to be obtained before starting primary school.
The opportunity has been priceless – but it needs to be paid for. Parents are charged fees, but these cannot cover the massive costs increases proposed.
Parents and carers organise petition to save nursery
A petition (https://chng.it/5Xtq7TnLYv) set up by parents with children at the nursery has collected more than 300 signatures. It says losing the nursery would mean losing a precious resource for the community and the unique personalised touch it brings to early childhood education. Closure of the Ladywell nursery would follow closure of the St Andrews nursery ilast year.
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