Parents voice anger over preschool closure
A Banbury preschool will close next month due to cuts to its funding from Oxfordshire County Council.
Hill View Preschool has been based in Hillview Crescent for more than 30 years,but following two ‘inadequate’ Ofsted inspections it will now close on March 29, leaving parents five weeks to find alternative provision for their children.
Kathryn Moggridge, committee member at Hillview Preschool, said: “After the first Ofsted inspection in January 2012, the staff worked really hard to amend and correct all issues raised from it.
“A follow up inspection took place last month and was graded as inadequate. A huge majority of the parents and staff disagree with the result as staff worked tirelessly to improve it and put into place any recommendations that were asked of them.
“Children are and always have been the priority of all the staff. Surely it’s best for the children to stay there until they are ready to go to full time school, which is only until July. There is now no other preschool to service the Hillview and Ruscote community.”
Staff at the preschool found out about the decision at the end of January. They cater for 32 children and letters from parents objecting to the decision have been sent to both Ofsted and the county council.
Two petitions are currently being signed by residents living in and around the preschool, and a letter has been sent to Banbury MP Sir Tony Baldry.
Keeley Minns takes her children to the preschool, and also attended herself. She said: “I was really upset when I found out. I went to the preschool when I was little, and now my children go here too.
“The staff here did a huge amount of work helping the children, they always care about them and their development.”
Marcus Mabberley, Oxfordshire County Council spokesperson, said: “Preschools sign agreements with the council which make clear that if they provide sub-standard services over a period of time then the council can withdraw funding for pre-school placements.
“Unfortunately, due to the latest Ofsted report’s findings, it has been decided that this will happen at Hill View Pre-School. Parents of the children attending the preschool can access help from the council’s Family Information Service.”
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Weather for Banbury
Tuesday 21 May 2013
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Temperature: 8 C to 16 C
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