New blow for Kington nursery

10:01am Monday 29th September 2008

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PLANS to keep a troubled Kington nursery open have failed before the latest takeover bid was completed.

Kington Primary teacher Deborah Hulin was part way through officially registering with Ofsted as new owner of Kington Children’s Centre when it closed last Thursday.

Before then it was owned by Herefordshire Council but Ms Hulin is only two months into the procedure – which could take up to six months – meaning the nursery cannot legally operate now she has taken over.

“Financially the business is unviable at the moment and now it’s lost even more money because it’s had to shut,” she said.

Ofsted refused registration on the grounds staff clearance procedures had not been completed.

But Ms Hulin, 38, says this is down to a lastminute tendering process from the council that took place over the summer, following a public meeting at which parents said suitable care was not available elsewhere.

Previous to this, it suggested closure after years of management problems caused the business to fail.

Now its new owner is worried the centre will completely flounder if parents have to find alternative childcare and staff, who have been offered work, decide to go elsewhere.

Herefordshire Council said it was moving to arrange good quality childcare after pointing those who had been affected in the direction of local childminders and other nurseries.

But local member Councillor Terry James blasted Ofsted for behaving in a “Stalinist manner”

over something he said provided a desperately needed service for children and families in a rural area.

He told its chief executive in a letter: “It’s time that judgment and common sense was used, not officious, damaging and time wasting bureaucracy.”

Anyone affected by the closure can call childcare information on 01432 261681.