MORE than 80 children had to stay at home yesterday (Thursday) after their nursery and preschool was forced to close down.
Greatham Nursery and Preschool, which meets in the village hallÕs annexe, was due to start back after the long summer holidays, but parents were shocked to receive letters at the weekend telling them that they would have to find other schools for their children in September.
Sarah Moor, of Longmoor Camp whose son Sam (3) attends the nursery school, told The Herald she was dismayed by what had happened.
ÒIn the last month the trustees have changed the locks and effectively closed the nursery down,Ó said Mrs Moor, who has another son Harry (seven months).
ÒThis has put myself and other parents in the position of receiving a letter informing us of the closure.
ÒThis, of course, has caused my family considerable disruption, but more importantly has disrupted the lives of over 80 children.Ó
Preschool supervisor Sandra Allen sent the letter to all parents informing them of the ÒdevastatingÓ situation.
The letter stated: ÒAs some of you will be aware a sub committee was formed some months ago to manage the affairs of Greatham Village Hall.
ÒThe committee has for some time disputed my legal right to occupy the annexe which houses the nursery school.
ÒHowever, while we were on holiday earlier this month (August), the trustees of the hall arranged for the locks of the school premises to be changed and have refused to hand over a key to me. As a result I have since then been denied access to the premises.
ÒI am of course devastated by the trusteesÕ actions. I have attempted to negotiate an amicable way out of this situation, which would enable me to continue running the school from the premises, but these efforts have not been successful.
ÒIt is therefore with the greatest sadness and regret that I have to inform you that Greatham Nursery School under my ownership is now closed as from the date of this letter (August 30) and I must sincerely apologise for the very short notice, but this situation has spiralled out of my control.Ó
The race is now on for parents to find other places for their children.
But, as Mrs Moor said, there are only three other options open to some parents.
Mrs Moor is entitled to free preschool sessions, funded by the government, for her son.
ÒThere is one in Liss and two in Bordon which offer free preschool places but they are limited and will probably be pretty full at this time of year,Ó said Mrs Moor.
ÒIt is quite clear that preschools in the local area will not be able to accommodate this number of children, this will place a huge demand on these facilities.Ó
ÒI feel very strongly that the actions of the trustees cannot go unquestioned, people in positions of power must be held accountable.Ó
Mrs Moor has written letters to MP James Arbuthnot and OfSTED, the school watchdog, and also contacted Hampshire County Council to find out what options are now open to the children Òwho have been left out in the coldÓ.
Elwyn Evans, Greatham Parish Council chairman and trustee of the village hall, said: ÒThe situation regarding the village hall is under Charity Commission investigation and police investigation and until that has been carried out we are not prepared to say anything else.Ó
But he did confirm that the nursery school was closed.