Parents 'powerless' over nursery closure

Islington Council agreed to close the Paradise Park nursery at the end of the summer term on 22 July, following a request from Islington Play Association. Staff and families reported feeling powerless, and more than 3,500 people signed a petition asking the council to pause the closure and consider alternatives. Parents described the nursery as a major community asset for low-income families, children with special needs, and a supportive environment. The nursery provides subsidised childcare options for vulnerable families. The council said other childcare places exist, but parents reported nearby nurseries were oversubscribed and places may not be available until September. Parents warned that private childcare could cost thousands of pounds and increase stress and mental health pressures for working families.

"Islington Council commissioned Islington Play Association (IPA) to run the north London nursery but on 20 May the council said it had "reluctantly agreed" to close it at the end of the summer term on 22 July at IPA's request. However, the charity said the decision to shut Paradise Park did not originate with its trustees."

"Parent Catrin Shi described the nursery as "a massive community asset for low-income families, for children with special needs and, just in general, a lovely happy place". She added that it was a place where "everyone is happy" and that her son loved attending. Paradise Park is a council-operated nursery, meaning there are subsidised options for lower-income and vulnerable families."

""So the people that have the least are the ones that stand to lose the most in this situation," Shi said. The council said the borough had "sufficient childcare places at other nurseries and schools" to accommodate the affected children. However, Shi said nearby nurseries were oversubscribed, with many not offering places until September at the earliest."

""It's an absolute nightmare. The thought of trying to manage often a full-time job and looking after your child, it's kind of unimaginable. "It's going to put a lot of stress and a lot of pressure on the mental health of working parents." Jonny Singer Parent Jonny Singer praised the nursery's staff and atmosphere, adding that families felt "pretty powerless" over the closure of the nursery."

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