Consult us over nursery management, say parents

Mapledene Children's Centre, Mapledene Road E8

The management of a popular nursery has been transferred to a nearby school without consultation with parents.

Parents of pupils of Mapledene Children’s Centre, an educational facility for children aged six months to five years, are disappointed that they only learnt about the change in management after receiving a letter from the Learning Trust telling them the move was going ahead.

The letter stated that as of 1 September the centre would be managed by nearby Queensbridge Primary School.

Parent Marisol Grandon said, “I think Mapledene is an outstanding nursery, and I’m concerned the change will have consequences for the standard of care the children receive there.

“Several of the parents have questioned whether the Learning Trust is able to make a change like this without a parent being involved. The letter we received makes no apology or concession whatsoever about the lack of consultation.”

Grandon says the Learning Trust should have been more open with parents, and should have given them more notice. Other parents, who wish to remain anonymous, say they are confused as to why the change is happening, the Learning Trust having failed to sufficiently clarify the reasons behind the change of governance.

The Trust’s letter stated that the management shift would not affect the terms and conditions of the staff, other than to offer opportunities for development, access to foundation stage expertise, a more coherent structure for children and, what appears to be the crucial aim, “a more rigorous approach to meeting the reach target with a focus on the more vulnerable families.”

The Learning Trust stated, “From 1 September 2009 Mapledene Children’s Centre will be under the governance of Queensbridge Primary School. This is to provide Mapledene with an opportunity to benefit from the holistic approach to supporting vulnerable families that has proved an advantage for children’s centres already overseen by schools.

“Mapledene will maintain a separate budget and staff including a Head of Centre but the strategic oversight and control will be the responsibility of the Headteacher of Queensbridge.”

The Learning Trust say all issues in relation to staff matters have been resolved, and that any concerns relating to the move may still be raised.