Worry about future of Erdington council nursery

PARENTS will meet today to thrash out their concerns over the future of a council-run day nursery.

Tyburn Road Community Day Nursery, in Erdington, is one of 23 nurseries across the city which parents fear will come under threat as pressure mounts on Birmingham City Council to make £69 million savings.

Part-time teacher Jo Allen, aged 36, from Erdington, was pleased with the care her four-year-old daughter received at Tyburn Road Community Day Nursery and now hopes to enrol her two-year-old daughter.

She said: "Just after Christmas we began to hear there could be problems.

"It's a big concern my daughter might get settled at the nursery and then it could be closed.

"I have established good relationships with the staff there. They are among the first adults many children come into contact with outside the home.

"Council-run day nurseries have a remit to support vulnerable families and they provide an absolute life-line to some people.

"If they close, that support will be gone."

The city's council run nurseries employ more than 200 staff and care for over 800 children.

Mum-of-two Anna Nixon, aged 34, from Erdington, sends both her children to Tyburn Road Community Day Nursery.

She has arranged a meeting for concerned parents at Erdington Hall Primary School's children centre in Ryland Road at 2pm today.

Outgoing Erdington MP Siôn Simon will be attending.

Mrs Nixon said: "We are hoping Mr Simon will be able to answer some questions and show his support for us."

A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council said: "We are reviewing nursery provision in the city.

"We haven't committed to whether any nurseries will be closing."

Staff at Tyburn Road Community Day Nursery were unable to comment.