North London families gathered for a picnic protest outside Islington Town Hall yesterday, urging the local authority to prevent a nursery from closing this summer. Paradise Park Children’s Centre Nursery, run by the charity Islington Play Association (IPA) on behalf of the council, faces closure at the end of the summer term on 22 July due to what the council describes as “severe financial challenges” at the charity. However, the charity denies that the decision originated with its trustees.
Community Rallies Against Closure
Over 3,500 people signed a petition opposing the shutdown. On Wednesday evening, parents, children, and staff from Paradise Park flocked to the Town Hall to pile pressure on the council to keep the nursery open. Parent Rosa Gómez Gonell praised the “incredible” workers and the quality of childcare provision. “The staff have dedicated themselves so much to our children. My son is such an incredible person simply because of the effort these people have put in for him,” she said.
Twenty-nine members of staff across the nursery and four adventure playgrounds run by IPA have been told their jobs are at risk. They are pleading with the council to call off the shutdown, “review all available options and guarantee no compulsory redundancies”. Paradise Park staff member Chloe implored the council to “come talk to us” about proposals they have put forward to keep the nursery open. “We’re the ones who run this place,” she said.
Financial Challenges and Mixed Messages
Though run by a charity, the nursery is council-operated and offers subsidised fees for lower-income and vulnerable families. Parent Jonny Singer told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that many other childcare centres were “frankly out of reach” for income-deprived households. Demonstrators put up painted banners celebrating Crumbles Castle and Lumpy Hill playgrounds, two of the four sites also run by IPA. After the closure announcement and staff redundancy warnings, residents speculate these other playgrounds are also facing the axe.
Islington Council has expressed “extreme disappointment” with IPA’s alleged handling of the situation, but parents said they feel that mixed messages from the council and IPA have added to their confusion. Though the council has declared the centre will shut, the charity has stopped short of confirming this and instead announced that it will not be taking any new nursery applications. In a statement on May 22, IPA pushed back on accusations of financial mismanagement and argued that the charity was grappling with rising costs, including higher energy and repair bills, and “changes in National Insurance contributions [and] the London Living Wage”.
Council Offers Meeting
Mr Singer said: “Our children should be at home having dinner tonight. Instead, we're on the steps of the Town Hall because the council and the IPA have only offered vague and contradicting words. Paradise Park isn't just a nursery. It's been part of this community for twenty years.” Speaking to the LDRS, Leader of the Council, Cllr Una O’Halloran (Labour), confirmed that councillors have now offered to sit down with parents and campaigners next week to discuss potential solutions. “Council officers and Islington’s Family Information Service have proactively contacted all 49 families to fully understand the provision they require and find alternatives,” she said. “The council is working hard to protect [the playgrounds’] future, and will do all it can to safeguard the jobs of the adventure playground staff who do such a fantastic job.” The LDRS contacted IPA for comment.
