Not a happy time for parents of closed nursery
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
09/12/2008
Parents of more than 60 children who have been left struggling for childcare after a London nursery shut without warning are being offered assistance by the council.
The Happy Times Nursery, based on Filmer Road, Fulham, closed earlier this month and left parents scrambling to organise care for children in the run-up to Christmas.
But in stepped the council’s Family Information Service, which provides accurate and impartial information and advice on the full range of facilities for children and young people aged 0 to19 years of age. These include services provided by the council as well as the voluntary, private and independent sectors in Hammersmith & Fulham.
The service has been taking calls from concerned parents and assisting them with information on nurseries and childminder vacancies in the area.
The Early Years and Childcare Service has also sent a recorded delivery letter to the nursery management requesting a list of parents who have been left without childcare so that they can be proactively contacted.
In addition, all nurseries and childminders in the borough have been contacted regarding the number of vacancies and a list developed for parent’s including operating times and cost.
At the Early Years Provider Forum meeting held this week, nursery providers were encouraged to consider waiving deposits for families from Happy Times. Providers have been very helpful and have offered families a range of assistance including offering discounts, charges for usage only for days required up until the New Year and waiving deposits.
Cllr Antony Lillis, cabinet member for community and children’s services, said: “I know that this has been a particularly stressful time for parents whose children used to attend Happy Times but help is at hand. The council’s Family Information Service is here to offer their assistance and are the best placed people for providing advice and guidance on childcare.”
The FIS can also advise parents on how to choose the type of childcare or early years service that best suits their needs. It can provide up-to-date lists, including contact details for childminders, nurseries, pre-schools, crèches, children's centres, after-school care and holiday play schemes, extended services in schools, parent and toddler groups, toy libraries and activities for children and young people.
You can contact the Family Information Service by calling 0845 313 3933
