Caversham Children’s Centre and Acol Children’s Centre face the axe

Published: 20th January, 2011
by TOM FOOT

PARENTS of young children in Kentish Town are fighting to save their beloved day centre after it was earmarked for closure.

The Caversham Children’s Centre in Vadnie Bish House is facing the axe in August, along with 15 staff.

Parent Lucy Rhys,  who lives in Montpellier Grove, said: “The children’s centre is about £800 a month, but in the private sector the rate is about £1,400. You have to be a banker to afford that and you wonder a few years down the line how many places in other council centres will be available.”

The Acol Children’s Centre in West Hampstead also faces the axe but the Town Hall claimed it was keeping 15 centres open.

Schools chief Councillor Heather Johnson said: “This is a very hard decision to have to make but I hope people will understand why we are having to do this and that no decision will be made without very careful consideration.”

A final decision will be taken in May.

Lib Dem deputy leader Councillor Matt Sanders said: “The council say that parents who use Caversham will be directed to other local services, but the reality is that when there are still huge cuts left to make  the service may well be reduced at nearby centres as well, even if they are ruling out outright closure.”