Real and growing need for NW6 children’s centre

Published: 20 January, 2011

• CAMDEN Council’s decision to close Acol Children’s Centre in NW6 due to budget cuts has come as a huge blow to the many parents, children and staff affected by it.

As parent to a two-year-old daughter attending the centre, I cannot understand the rationale.

There is an excellent and dedicated team running the Centre, who care for our children, keep them safe and teach them about the world. 

Acol is “outstanding” Ofsted-rated (only one other centre in the entire borough has a better report), and is located in a part of Camden with a growing number of young families and a desperate need for high-quality facilities.

Acol not only provides an excellent service for 0-5 year-olds, but a holiday playscheme and after-school club for the surrounding primary schools. Closing it will leave a shortage of childcare provision in this part of the borough while retaining the disproportionate number of council-run centres in the south and east.

I understand the need for the council to make cuts to its Early Years provision as they must to all parts of its services. The selection of Acol in this case is particularly harsh and misguided.

I urge Camden in the strongest possible terms to reconsider the selection of Acol for closure, to bear in mind the excellence of the work it does and the real and growing need for good quality and affordable childcare in South and West Hampstead, Kilburn, Swiss Cottage and the surrounding areas. 

PENNY LIECHTI
Solent Road, NW6