Nursery set for new site but needs cash for move (From Stroud News and Journal)

Nursery set for new site but needs cash for move

THE CAMPAIGN to save Stroud College's nursery is beginning to pay off, with a new site in the pipeline.

The Beanstalk nursery - which caters for about 70 children at its current location at the college - was set to close after it proved impossible to include it in the new £17-million redevelopment of the campus.

But 500 parents signed a petition against the closure, and district councillors were furious.

Now Stroud District Council has agreed to move it to the nearby leisure centre in Stratford Park.

However, the nursery still needs to secure some of the money to fund the move.

Nursery director Clare King estimates between £40,000 and £50,000 is needed to convert the new site.

And this is needed before demolition work at the college begins in August.

Mrs King said: "Because of the support from the councillors and the petition, the council officers have realised that the nursery is a strategic, important service and we must find a solution.

"We still need to identify funding to complete the job.

"But the problem is securing the funding in such a short space of time."

She is currently looking into funding options with the help of the district council.

Restrictions on the scope of the new campus meant it was not possible to include it in the development.

Last week, the SNJ reported how some parents who use the facilities were extremely concerned about the prospect of it shutting.

In the long term, it is hoped that the playgroup will be turned into a thriving children's centre covering health and education and encompassing an information and advice point for parents.

Parenting courses could be run there, and it could be used as a meeting point for community groups.