Brighton parents' anger after council decides to move nursery

Bright Start Nursery, based in the old Slipper Baths building in Barrack Yard, Brighton, near the Prince Regent Swimming Pool, is expected to move to the Tarner Family Hub in Ivory Place, following a decision by the Children, Families and Schools Committee in early November.

Parents attended the meeting with their children to protest against the proposals, which would see the number of places halved.

Labour councillors voted through the proposals on Monday, November 6.

At the time, Green councillor Sue Shanks said the council should do more to keep low-cost council-run childcare spaces rather than reducing their number.

Thirty-six parents signed a letter to Brighton and Hove City Council’s Labour group leader, councillor Bella Sankey and the co-chairs of the Children, Families and Schools Committee, councillors Lucy Helliwell and Jacob Taylor, sharing their multiple concerns about the proposals.

They fear children under two will not be accommodated at the new venue and are worried about the tight timescale, which would result in a move next September.

The letter said: “We understand that the council is in a difficult financial position.

“As you know, parents have contacted you directly to express our willingness to work collaboratively with you to secure the future of Bright Start.

“We are therefore hugely disappointed that the council has moved ahead with these plans without any consultation.

“We were also upset and disappointed that these proposals were released only one week before the Children, Families and Schools Committee at which they were discussed, a move which left us with no time to ask questions about them.

“The proposed timescale for the move would require moving at such a pace that there will be no scope for meaningful consultation with parents or staff.

“In their meetings with parents and staff, council officers have presented these proposals as a done deal, raising our concern that our voices are not being listened to and that alternative options have not been properly considered.

“We have also not been given appropriate detail about the plans, how the savings will be achieved, the suitability of the new building, and details of the service that will be provided there.

“This leaves us concerned that the proposed changes, which will be hugely disruptive for us and our children, will lead to a worse service and may not achieve the financial savings hoped for by the council.”

On Monday, November 20, parents received a letter from the council asking for feedback on the proposals, which are:

Provision run over 47.5 weeks, with closures at Christmas (1.5 weeks), Easter (one week), and in August (last two weeks).

Eight-hour day – 9am to 5pm with two sessions, 9am-1pm and 1pm-5pm

16 places per session for children aged two to five years

The letter said the council is “committed to consulting meaningfully” with parents and their email feedback.

Parents were told: “This process will enable us to understand the exact needs of families and how they can be accommodated in the new model once agreed.

“There will then be a parent consultation meeting with council officers and councillors, to which all parents will be invited. We will confirm a date for this meeting as soon as it is confirmed.”

Bright Start dad Ed Armston-Sheret said the council’s response to parents’ concerns is confirmation there would be no community consultation, despite promises otherwise.

His nine-month-old daughter started at the nursery in September, and he fears she will lose her place despite “vague suggestions” that she can stay.

Mr Armston-Sheret said: “If they took us on a journey with it and explained what was going on, we might be more open to considering some of the proposals.

“At the moment, they’re talking moving the nursery, reducing places, scrapping provision for under twos, and they haven’t given us any detail as to how it will save them £200,000.”

Parents have contacted councillors for assurances as they did not want to protest again, as they did earlier this year.

More than 1,500 people signed a petition to save the nursery from closing and to keep its £104,000 subsidy in the budget set in February.

Councillor Taylor, elected in May, said: “The council believes strongly in the importance of Early Years provision and effective early intervention.

“Moving the Bright Start Nursery to the nearby family hub is the best option for keeping it open, given the problems with the current building and the financial position of the council.

“It’s also consistent with council strategy on Early Years – and there will be benefits for locating the nursery alongside other vital services for children and families.

“While we do need to consider practical, financial and resource implications, no decisions on the final operating model have been made.

“We’re very keen to hear from parents and carers, as well as our staff, to help us develop the final offer.”