Proposed closure of the Day Nursery
Frequently asked questions about the proposed closure of the Day Nursery
March 2010
- Why is the University proposing closing the Nursery?
- How many staff and student parents currently use the Nursery?
- How many posts are at risk?
- How many staff will be affected?
- What is the timeframe? When is it proposed that the nursery will close?
- How can I find out more?
Why is the University proposing closing the Nursery?
University of the Arts London has been reviewing its childcare provision for several years. Given the recent and ongoing funding cuts in the higher education sector and the efficiency programme currently underway at the University, it is proposed that the University's nursery is closed by the beginning of the 2010/11 academic year.
The University's day nursery is based at London College of Communication at Elephant & Castle. It has places for 30 children of staff and students at the University and is open all year round.
The nursery has been operating since the mid 1990s. Government financial support for student childcare has improved significantly since then. There is a wide range of grants, allowances and funds that student parents can apply for to help meet their childcare costs. Likewise, a number of benefits are open to staff to support flexible childcare arrangements, such as Childcare Vouchers.
This improvement to childcare funding for pre-school children means that day nurseries at universities are no longer the only, or even the most convenient, option for staff and student parents. A number of universities in the UK are also considering the future of their campus based nurseries. Recent research has also shown that many students would prefer their childcare to be based near their home, with only a small number preferring it to be based near their institution (Changing views of childcare needs, NUS 2009).
The University currently pays a substantial subsidy to cover the cost of each place at the nursery. This unsustainable subsidy is inequitable as only a very small number of students and staff benefit from the nursery service.
Closing the nursery will allow the University to provide services to all its students, to support learning, teaching and employability .The University is committed to providing advice and guidance to all students and staff with childcare needs.
For more information about financial support for students visit www.arts.ac.uk/student
For more information about Childcare Vouchers for staff visit http://www.computersharevoucherservices.com/Pages/default.aspx
For general enquiries or email specific enquiries to parent@computershare.co.uk
How many staff and student parents currently use the Nursery?
Currently 8 staff parents and 14 student parents use the nursery. 21 children attend the nursery.
Six posts are at risk of redundancy.
How many staff will be affected?
Regrettably, six permanent members of staff will be affected by the proposed closure of the nursery.
What is the timeframe? When is it proposed that the nursery will close?
The affected staff have been told that they face the risk of redundancy. As this proposal is still under consultation none of these staff have been served with formal notification of redundancy.
Student and staff parents using the nursery will be given as much advance notice as possible of the proposed closure, to ensure they have time to find suitable alternative childcare.
If this proposal goes ahead, the nursery will close by the end of this academic year (July 2010).
These FAQs will be regularly updated.
Staff can also contact your HR Consultant or line manager for further information.
Students will also be updated through the Student Services website www.arts.ac.uk/current-students.htm