Bulldozers take over nursery (From Witney Gazette)

Bulldozers take over nursery

2:28pm Tuesday 8th July 2008 in Witney By David Horne

AN 'outstanding' Witney nursery has had to shut, despite eleventh-hour attempts to find it a new home.

Parents said they felt let down by the closure of Abacus, with many having to scramble to find alternative arrangements for their children.

But according to Olivia Hill, one of the partners who ran the nursery for eight years at the Witney college campus, others were still struggling to find places.

Kate O'Hare, a marketing manager for a software company, was sending Sophie, aged 19 months, to Abacus three times a week.

She said: "It is devastating. We have managed to get a child minder, but there are others who are desperate to find care.

"It is a real shame. Even if Abacus were eventually to find somewhere to re-open, people will have made alternative arrangements and won't want to unsettle their children again.

"Witney has lost an outstanding nursery."

The bell finally tolled for Abacus last week, as the bulldozers moved in to the college site to start on a £30m redevelopment of the campus.

It had been there since 1999, with some of its places going to children of staff and students. But the college insisted there was no longer any place for it, and had given notice a year ago.

Ms Hill, who ran Abacus with business partner Claire Taylor, said: "We have closed the accounts. If it is to start again, it would be from scratch, but we still have the same problem - we simply can't find premises big enough and suitable enough.

"We do feel let down. We did everything we physically could. I appreciate we are not a charity, but we had set a high standard, getting an outstanding Ofsted report earlier this year. It is a great loss to Witney."

The nursery had more than 80 children on its books, with places each day for 48 youngsters.

The last hope for the owners, their 12 staff, and parents fell through as the deadline approached, and plans for a short-term home collapsed.

Oxfordshire County Council and West Oxfordshire District Council tried to rush through arrangements for temporary space at the Gordon's Way artificial sports ground. But the earliest planning permission could be gained was in January next year, and the owners decided to call it a day.

County councillor Louise Chapman, cabinet member for children and young families, who was spearheading the joint council approach, was unavailable for comment this week.

Other parents have spoken of their disappointment.

Andy Bennett and partner, Christina Carroll, have found a place for daughter Erin, aged 20 months, at Petit Enfant, in Carterton, after trying other nurseries in Witney.

Mr Bennett said: "We just felt left in the lurch. Many parents had been badgering the councils for a long time. The final closure of Abacus is a real kick in the teeth."

Maggie Lay says her four-year-old grandson Matthew will need a child-minder before he starts school in September.

She said: "They were such a good nursery, and I feel it has come to this because there was no joined-up thinking going on.

"Witney's a growing town, with more families, and it can scarce afford to lose a nursery, least of all one as good as Abacus."