Campaign group host Teddy Bears Picnic and call on Council to "make right decision" and keep nurseries open
“If the nurseries close then where are these children going to go?
Dozens of parents and their children braved the wet weather and turned out in force at South Shields Marine Park for a giant Teddy Bears picnic today (September 6) to highlight their campaign to prevent the potential closure of up to 10 Stanley’s nurseries across the borough.
Despite many of the nurseries having been deemed by Ofsted to be providing an outstanding service, staff at the South Tyneside Accredited Network for Learning in the Early Years (Stanley’s) have been in a consultation over the future of their jobs since mid-June - with the process having closed on Friday, August 21.
Although the Council have said no final decision has yet been made, the campaign group are calling on councillors to secure the future of the nurseries when South Tyneside Council’s Cabinet meet on September 23, when a decision is expected to me made.
Campaign group leader, Joanna Taylor, whose daughter attends a Stanley’s nursery, said: “A consultation has been taking place with staff over the potential closure. At the start of the campaign, there were 402 children in Stanley’s nurseries, which I understand is now down to 299 as some parents have moved children to different nurseries, due to the uncertainty.
“The feedback we have had from parents is that if the nurseries close, where are these children going to go? Many other private nurseries are already at capacity with waiting lists. There simply isn’t the provision for all these children to go elsewhere, as well as the disruption it would cause to the children and families.
“Stanleys nurseries are a lifeline to the South Tyneside community - the staff are our extended family, helping to raise our children.”
The Teddy Bears picnic saw families arriving with an array of cuddly toys to help draw attention to the plight of both the children and the parents, if the nurseries were to close.
As well as enjoying their picnics, families were able to enjoy face painting, children’s stories, arts and crafts, bubble machines, and a range of games.
Joanna, 39, said: “As well as highlighting our campaign, we also wanted to host an event which brings the community and families together. Our petition already has over 12,000 signatures, and when the council meets, we are just calling on them to make the right decision and ensure Stanley’s nurseries remain open.”