Islington Council is facing a High Court challenge over the looming closure of Paradise Park Children's Centre, as parents allege the council is breaching its statutory duty to provide sufficient childcare.
Legal challenge lodged
Parents of children attending the nursery have formally requested a judicial review after the council announced on May 20 that it had "reluctantly" agreed to close the nursery at the request of the charity Islington Play Association (IPA), which cited financial difficulties. Jonny Singer, one of 37 residents supporting the claim, said losing the "amazing" nursery and its "wonderful" staff would do "significant damage" to children. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): "We would much rather keep the nursery open without having to resort to legal proceedings."
Conflicting accounts
The council said it was "extremely disappointed" in IPA's handling of the situation, but the charity denied this version of events. IPA claims the idea to close the nursery "did not originate from the trustees" and called allegations of financial mismanagement "unfounded". The council's press statement blaming IPA has since been removed from its website.
Protests and petition
The announcement triggered protests outside the Town Hall last month, and over 4,600 people have signed a petition to keep the nursery open and protect the jobs of 29 IPA staff members at risk of redundancy. On Monday, June 29, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, Cllr Sheila Chapman, reaffirmed that trustees had told the council in December 2025 they could no longer run the nursery for financial reasons. She added that poor communication from the charity had scuppered a "seamless transition" and that the council was considering "temporary emergency transition care" at the same location over the summer.
Statutory duty and legal grounds
Although IPA has run the centre for years, receiving £4.3 million from the council in 2023 to last until 2030, it is the council's statutory duty to provide "sufficient" childcare. Parents argue the council is in breach because some families face year-long waiting periods for places elsewhere. However, the council insists there remains enough provision in the borough. The claimants also challenge the council on grounds that it failed to act despite warning signs of the charity's financial problems over a year before the alleged request to close. They cite comments by local councillors in October 2024, including Council Leader Una O’Halloran, regarding the charity’s £170,000 budget shortfall that year.
Allegations of contract termination
The litigants further allege that IPA told staff the council served notice to terminate the contract early. If true, they argue, Islington should have given notice much earlier than May and consulted with families. Instead, delayed communication has forced families to "take what is available now or risk no place at all". The claim is now with the High Court, which will decide whether to hold an interim hearing. Islington Council said it could not comment on live legal proceedings, and IPA did not respond to the LDRS' request for comment.
