A NURSERY has reassured parents that children will be offered spaces elsewhere after announcing it would close at the end of the month.
Leeward Busy Bees Nursery, based at Springfield Stadium, told parents at short notice that it was to cease operations following ongoing staffing issues.
Last year, the nursery closed its toddler and pre-school rooms, although the baby room was kept open.
Busy Bees also operates at La Providence and Castle Quay and Education Minister Catherine Curtis told the JEP that affected children will be offered spaces at the nursery groups’s other locations.
Deputy Curtis said that she was “very sorry” to hear of the closure, adding that a nursery closing is “always a worry for parents and staff members”.
She said that the Childcare and Early Years Service is liaising with the nursery owners to ensure that the impact of the closure is minimal.
“A nursery closing is always worrying for parents and staff members, and my immediate thoughts are with those affected,” the minister said.
“While the closure of an individual nursery is always difficult, I would like to reassure parents that overall the number of childcare spaces across Jersey is growing.”
Deputy Curtis said that parents may also make use of the two-to-three-year-old funding scheme offered by the government – allowing parents to apply for up to £6,445 of funding towards childcare, if the provider is a registered private nursery, registered childminder or accredited nanny.
She added that plans for a new nursery are being formed and that there has been growth in childminders seeking registration.
“We are already working to review childcare regulation to make sure it is proportionate and appropriate. But I do want to stress that regulation is important when it comes to nurseries. Parents need to know that their children are in a safe environment with properly qualified and experienced staff,” Deputy Curtis continued.
