DELAYS in building works as a result of the coronavirus pandemic have forced a Wyre Forest nursery to close for good.
Wolverley Sebright Primary School said it was left with “no option” but to give notice on the privately-run Sebright Cygnets Nursery and Activity Club because of resulting classroom shortages.
Plans to create two new classrooms at the over-subscribed school in part of the building used by the nursery, and then move the nursery into a new modular building from September were thwarted when the contractor went into liquidation.
Executive headteacher Shelley Reeves-Walters said: “Sadly, the building firm initially contracted was forced to cease trading because of the effects of Covid-19 which has caused delays and we will not have the two additional classrooms ready until the new year.
“This means we have no alternative but to house those pupils in the new modular building during the autumn term.
“We have suggested alternative local provision for the nursery to take temporarily, but the managers have chosen not to take those.
“Under the circumstances we had no option but to serve notice to vacate on the nursery, which is currently closed due to the pandemic.”
Sebright Cygnets has 29 pre-school children from two years registered and can accommodate up to 20 children per session.
Mrs Reeves-Walters said: “It has been part of our school for 24 years and this was not a decision taken lightly but due to circumstances beyond our control, and our primary concern must be to the children of this school.
“During lockdown, we have also cared for some of the nursery children and, as soon as we have space next January or February, will work to plug the gap caused by the loss of Cygnets ourselves.
“We have worked very closely with the nursery staff over the years and we hope to work with them again as part of the Wolverley Sebright team in the future.”
In a letter to parents, nursery managers Carole Everett-Li and Wendy Anderson said it had been a “heart-breaking decision” to wind up.
They said: “This has not been an easy decision, but after investigating lots of different options, we have concluded that this is the only way to proceed.”
Mrs Reeves-Walters added that the school was working on plans to offer before and after school provision, which had also been provided by the nursery, from September.
Wolverley Sebright Primary School is part of the Severn Academies Educational Trust and chief executive Chris King said: “Everything possible has been done to placate the situation caused by the delays in the building works and we are sorry that a long-serving nursery provider has decided not to continue.
“We thank the managers and trustees of Sebright Cygnets for the excellent work with, and care of, what must be hundreds of pre-school children over almost a quarter of a century, and also for the wraparound care they have provided.”
