Our wonderful nursery and children’s centre, Cherry Tree in West Norwood is threatened by closure on 2 August 2019. We are a group of over 60 parents fighting to try and save this vital community resource, where our little ones have thrived, forged trusting relationships with peers and staff and learn new skills every day in a fun and caring setting.

We’ve been relentlessly campaigning to stop the closure, ever since we got the news over email (!), lobbying the multi academy trust that operates the nursery, the Great North Wood Education Trust, as well as Lambeth Council who’ve enabled the proposed closure by stopping vital funding for employees’ pensions contributions and operational costs.

The decision is causing a massive upheaval to our lives and the lives and livelihoods of about 20 dedicated staff at Cherry Tree. Cherry Tree is one of the most popular nurseries in our area: purpose built with a huge garden, being the only SEND provider locally, affordable with a long waiting list, 95 children @ 80% occupancy and a peppercorn rent for the site from the Council as well as children’s centre services to support young families. So it makes no sense to close it down without consulting the community and without exploring alternative solutions.

We have contacted local councillors and MPs, made several representations to the Council and written to the trust on multiple occasions, made numerous freedom of information requests to uncover the facts, set up a petition where 1,500 people have already signed to prevent the closure, but so far all our efforts have fallen on deaf ears.

Therefore, we’ve been left with no other option than to take legal action against Lambeth Council and seek a judicial review, led by the law firm Leigh Day. We have been granted legal aid to pursue our cause on the condition that we are able to raise £2,000. We need your help to reach this target before 2 August 2019.

If you care about protecting vital services for children and families now and in the future in one of London’s most deprived boroughs, please consider donating to save Cherry Tree from closure. Thank you!

Read about our Campaign on Brixton Buzz

Sign our Petition to save Cherry Tree

Cherry Tree Action Group on Facebook