Message to parents as 'difficult' decision is made to close Jarrow pre-school next month

Teddy Tots Pre School, which is based at Hedworthfield Community Association (CA) in Cornhill on Jarrow’s Fellgate Estate, will close its doors at the end of the school term on Friday, April 3.

In a letter sent out earlier this month bosses informed parents that the decision had been made with ‘regret’ to close the facility.

As well as Teddy Tots, Hedworthfield CA also runs the OSCARS out of school club providing activities and day care for older children.

It has stressed that all other services within the centre will remain open.

The pre school, which opened in 2017, is said to be no longer ‘financially viable’ due to ‘falling numbers of children being enrolled’.

Teddy Tots cares for children aged from two to four, most of whom live within the Hedworth, Fellgate and Calf Close ward.

Families were first made aware of the financial issues faced by the organisation in February this year and talks with staff members took place before the decision was made.

Directors at Hedworthfield CA have now thanked parents for their cooperation during what has been described as a “difficult time”.

The centre became a Community Interest Organisation in 2017 after South Tyneside Council pulled its funding for community centres and handed over the lease of the building.

The organisation now relies on raising its own funds to remain sustainable.

A statement issued on behalf of the directors and trustees of Hedworthfield CA said: “In February all families, potentially affected, were advised that we were looking at the financial viability of the Teddy Tots provision.

“Following a formal staff consultation and the taking of professional advice throughout, a considered decision was taken to close TeddyTots, at the end of the current term.”

They added: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank staff and parents for their cooperation during this difficult time.

“We wish to make clear that all other services within Hedworthfield CA will continue as normal.”