Nursery closure plan 'mad' say shocked parents

The proposed closure of a university nursery has left people without sufficient time to find alternative childcare, some parents have said.

Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) said it was consulting on the closure of its Collegiate Nursery, in Broomgrove Road, with a final decision expected in June.

The nursery, which was rated "outstanding" by Ofsted in 2023, is open to the wider community as well as to the children of staff and students.

A university spokesperson cited falling attendance and rising costs, adding that since 2020 the facility had recorded an operating loss of nearly £600,000.

Dan, whose two-year-old son has Down's Syndrome, said he rated the care at the nursery as "second to none" and worried about finding an alternative.

"They've really supported him, taking additional training to understand his needs," he said.

"He's obviously developmentally delayed, so he's just learning to walk, he's just learning his first words.

"Waiting lists for any provision in Sheffield are months and months, much longer than the three or four months notice we've been given."

In an email to parents and carers the university said the decision was no reflection on the quality of care but was based on "a combination of falling demand, financial sustainability challenges and wider changes across the early years sector".

An SHU spokesperson said the number of children attending had dropped from 52 to 39 in recent years, or which just 13 were children of university staff or students.

Richard's son, who is three-and-a half years old, also attends the nursery. He questioned whether SHU was doing enough to promote the facility

"There's no waiting list. If somebody wants to put their child in that nursery, they can do," he said.

"And I don't think the university's doing as much as it can to advertise the fact that it exists.

"I can imagine that there are parents out there who believe that because it's the Sheffield Hallam University Nursery, it's only available to children of students and staff - that's not the case. But I don't see too many places where that is corrected."

Earlier this year SHU put forward plans for £27m of cuts on top of £60m of savings over the last two years.

The University and College Union has previously called for a government-led public inquiry into how SHU has managed public money, claiming finances are "perilous".

At the time the university said: "The overall financial picture for universities is likely to be challenging for some time, which means we must continue to reduce costs and increase income where we can."

Callum, who has two children, aged four and 18 months old, at the nursery said he was worried the nursery was paying the price for problems elsewhere at the university.

"It seems completely mad to be closing an outstanding nursery. It just seems completely crazy," he said.

"I think it must be they need to sell the building to make up for lack of funding elsewhere."

All three parents said without suitable care they or their partners would have to cut down their working hours, adding that they had not yet found a nursery with capacity to take their child until early 2027.

In a statement SHU said they were engaging with staff, parents and stakeholders as part of the process.

"If the proposal goes ahead, we will work closely with parents to support them, including signposting to alternative local childcare provision, and we are supporting our staff through this process."

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