Children's centre closing after being 'unable to cover costs'

'RIGHT TIME TO BOW OUT' AFTER 36 YEARS OF AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE

- By JOSHUA HARTLEY

A DECADES-OLD Nottingham nursery and club cherished by parents is closing today after a lack of funding made it "impossible to continue".

Greenfields Children's Centre in Russell Road, Forest Fields, is closing after nearly 37 years of providing affordable childcare.

Judy Tate, programme director for the centre, said that a combination of mounting financial pressure and a growing number of initiatives helping parents made it the "right time to bow out".

"Funding for the voluntary sector is scarce and has to be focused on the greatest need in our society, which has changed significantly over time," Ms Tate said.

"For these reasons, we have been unable to cover our costs in recent years, and it has become impossible to continue to operate.

"However, we are confident that there is currently sufficient quality and accessible childcare available in most areas of Nottingham city, and we are pleased that our families have been able to find suitable care and our staff have secured alternative employment.