Community nurseries set to carry on

25 July 2003

The determination of three community nurseries to continue to thrive despite the recent loss of Council funding has yielded major results in the form of a "bridging grant" from the Royal Borough.

The grant - worth £141,350 - was released by the Council today (25 July) in response to persuasive business plans from the nurseries setting out realistic proposals for developing alternative streams of income.

The Cabinet Member for Social Services, Councillor Shireen Ritchie said, "The Community nurseries are run by highly committed and professional organisations. They have impressive business plans and provide excellent services for children and families in deprived areas of North Kensington.

"We hope this additional Council grant until December will help these much valued nurseries access new Government funding streams so that they continue to offer childcare and education in the future."

The nurseries' business plans envisage increasing the number of places offered to parents claiming the Government's Children's Family Tax Credit, a cash benefit made available directly to low-income families to purchase their own childcare and nursery places.

In addition to the bridging funds, the Council will be spending £1,762,420 this year on childcare services provided by voluntary organisations.

Councillor Ritchie is also proposing to invest significant additional funding this year - £210,000 - in services for children with disabilities. This will enable two additional staff to be employed and ensure that the children can benefit from holiday play schemes and after school activities.

For further information contact Press and Public Relations.