'Stay and Play'

On Friday morning I visited the ' Stay and Play' nursery on Ashby Road, Coalville to meet and speak to the staff and also the parents who use this facility. The circumstances of the visit were very sad, as the committee who run the nursery have decided to close it due to lack of funds. The 'Stay and Play' nursery was opened in 1987 and has been supported by charitable donations and fundraising. Speaking to one of the committee it would seem that they need something in the region of £2500 per month to keep the facility open and have struggling for some time. I have asked to be given an accurate estimate of the funding gap so that we can try to look for solutions to the problem.

The closure will be especially hard on the dedicated part time staff some of whom have worked there for 8 years or more, several of whom I had a chance to meet (when they were not busy looking after the children or serving drinks).

The nursery which accommodates children up to 5 years old during school term time and also older children during the holidays, was very busy at 1215hrs when I left and it was closing its door for possibly the last time at 1300hrs. Another victim of the worst recession for 60 years and if it remains closed a loss to the children and parents of Coalville and the surrounding area.