One YMCA will be closing Goldington, Queen’s Park and Wootton Community Nurseries on the last day of this term: 31st March 2023.
Over the last couple of years, they have been suffering significant, six-figure losses across all three nurseries and have attempted to change the model and fee structures during this time. However, with no assistance from government and the rise in inflation, minimum wage and energy bills, this has taken the charity to a situation where they cannot afford to sustain the nurseries any longer.
Guy Foxell, One YMCA chief executive said: “We have always tried to do all we can for the children, families and colleagues involved in our settings – for example by staying open even during the worst of the covid lockdowns and despite growing financial losses. Over the last few months, we have been privately advertising the three settings through national brokers, plus making dozens of our own calls to larger local providers and national chains who we thought might be interested and have the capacity to take the nurseries forward.”
One YMCA have tried to find solutions to this over the last few months to avoid the closure but this has not been possible.
Foxell continues: “Regrettably, despite some initially promising discussions, we have had final confirmation that in the current financial climate, none of those providers has been willing to take on the three settings – even “for free”. It is therefore with great sadness that we have taken this decision to exit from Nursery provision in Bedfordshire on 31st March 2023.”
One YMCA are doing all they can at this time for both families and staff. They have compiled a list of nurseries who currently have childcare spaces which they will be signposting parents towards.
They will also be exploring options for colleagues to find any suitable alternative employment opportunities within the charity, as well as supporting them with CV and interview workshops and linking them with potential new employers in the area.
For more information, please email [email protected]
