Hope for nursery

THERE is a glimmer of hope that a scheme could be put forward to save St Michael's Nursery in Uckfield,

However, staff have been warned that it could still close in July.

Business manager William Swabey said that since the closure announcement in February there had been inquiries from people who, 'potentially could be able to sort out the site and keep the nursery going'.

'We haven't got to the stage of any certainty, therefore we have had to tell staff that we have to continue along the same path of closing at the end of the nursery's year,' said Mr Swabey.

'We are hopeful that something may happen but at the same time it might not. If it did it would be fantastic,' he added.

The nursery is housed in the Convent of St Michael next to the Catholic church in New Town. More than 130 children are registered there and 15 staff are employed, excluding the Sisters of Mercy who greet parents and children each day. The Uckfield sisters are due to retire and plans are being made for the convent to be sold.

Parents devastated by the closure threat are campaigning to keep the nursery open. Signatures are being collected on a petition and parents are being asked to write to the education authority, the diocese, the Archbishop of Westminster, the Sisters of Mercy and MP Charles Hendry to raise support.

'Basically, we are completely astounded that the nursery is closing because it is the best nursery in the area with glowing Ofsted reports,' said parent Mrs Annette Wood. 'Demand is outstripping the supply of places and it doesn't make sense to take a decision like this.'

She would like to see the diocese take it over so that the links between the nursery and school can continue.

Her son Fergus, five, attends St Philip's School next to the nursery and her daughter Grace, three, who should be returning to the nursery in September currently has no alternative place.