Petworth mum launches appeal to save nursery care

Working mum Sophie Venton whose young son attends the Caring Day Care nursery said: “What concerns me is there is a need for a nursery in the community and we have got to try and find a solution, perhaps by creating a charity to run the nursery.

“I need to look into doing something, I can’t just let this go.”

Sophie says she is fortunate that she has family back-up when she is working but she valued the social aspect of the nursery for her child: “There are other mums who are not in such a fortunate position who need to work and need these facilities.”

“The nearest nurseries are in Pulborough or Midhurst, but if you don’t have access to private transport it’s impossible to get there.

“We are not the hub of a metropolis here, we are a rural community.

“It’s utterly ridiculous to have a superb family centre and Petworth Primary School next door on the site and not have the nursery facilities available as well.”

She has already contacted Selsey mums who saved their facilities and a specialist for help in setting up a charity to run it.

“I have no professional knowledge of the legal terms and obligations,” she said, “and I am appealing for people to help.

“I am looking for expertise and ideas on how we can save the nursery.”

Anyone who would like to help should contact her on [email protected] or call her on 07800682615

With a tight deadline before the closure of the nursery on March 31 Petworth Primary School is also on the case.

Business manager Zoe Howard said: “This came out of the blue and was a shock to us too.

“A lot of work is going on behind the scenes to try and keep nursery provision on this site.”

In a statement Busy Bees said: “It is with great regret we have taken the decision to close at the end of March when the lease on the buildings comes to an end.”

“The primary reason is due to being unable to provide affordable childcare. This is as a result of the nursery requiring significant investment in the near future to maintain it at a standard that parents expect, and that the nursery is operating significantly under capacity in terms of the numbers of children attending.

“We have tried to find an alternative occupier, but have unfortunately been unsuccessful.”

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