Statement: Streatham Vale nursery closure

Streatham Youth and Community Trust, the nursery provider, had previously notified parents and carers of their decision to close the provision at the end of the summer term, in July, because of concerns about their ability to deliver a financially sustainable provision in light of the new national childcare expansion scheme.

SYTC then raised concerns in March with the council and with Ofsted about the quality of the their current provision and their capacity to ensure compliance with Ofsted requirements and the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.

A Lambeth Council spokesperson said:

“We are disappointed at SYCT’s decision to close the Sprig Ludens nursery. Lambeth Council has worked with the trust to find solutions to the funding issues so as to enable high quality delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.

“The council is not able to provide extra subsidies to childcare settings in addition to funding for two, three and four year olds in accordance with national guidance, and SYTC as a charity are not able to generate sufficient additional income to sustain high quality provision and make up for national funding shortfalls.

“We will now work with Merton and Croydon Councils and with parents to find replacement nursery places in their local area.”

SYCT have confirmed that they are committed to increasing their wider community offer of stay and play and after school services at Streatham Vale Park to make the most of the space available at the Hut on the site.