Beyond the Walls Outdoor Nursery in Tockholes has closed

Beyond the Walls Outdoor Nursery, in Chapels Lane, has closed after 12 years of “wonderful adventures”.

In a statement the nursery, which was opened by Diane Calvert and Naomi Suggett in 2011, said it was struggling to fill enough spaces.

They blamed the “state of the economy” which has caused "families’ circumstances to change".

A spokesperson for the nursery said: “It is with great sadness that, after 12 years of wonderful adventures with many fabulous children and families, we are having to close our nursery.

“We find ourselves in the terrible position of being unable to fill enough places to make our small, personal setting sustainable.

“With the state of the economy it seems that many families’ circumstances have changed.”

A spokesperson for the nursery said the decision to close was not easy. They thanked anyone who has sent their child to the nursery in the past.

They added: “We have tried our utmost to continue with this work that we love so much.

“We are devastated to be in this position as it has been our passion for all these years.

“Thank you so much for all of your support. We wouldn’t have been here for so long without you.”

Since making the announcement dozens of people have expressed sadness and disappointment.

One person said: “I’m so very sad to hear this and I wish this wasn’t so.

“Without a doubt your nursery was the best my boys could have ever wished for.

“Your kind, caring and nurturing ways always went above and beyond and the memories you gave us will never be forgotten.”

Another said: “You have done a wonderful job.

“You have nurtured all those lovely little children and given them so many wonderful experiences.”

A third person commented: “Absolutely gutted, you guys are by far the absolute best setting around.”

When the nursery opened in 2011 it was thought to be the first outdoor children’s nursery in the north of England.

Its ethos was based on long-established philosophies of the Scandinavian and German Forest kindergartens and children spent most of the day in the outdoors.

In its latest Ofsted inspection, in 2019, it was rated as outstanding and praised as a “magnificent nursery”.

In March Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced reforms in the budget, which will allow some families of children as young as nine months in England to claim 30 hours of free childcare a week, instead of just three and four-year-olds under the current policy.

The phased policy, which will be fully introduced by September 2025, will be worth up to £6,500 a year for working families. The plan will cost £4.9 billion between 2027 and 2028.

While the announcement has been welcomed by working parents, some nursery workers in Blackburn with Darwen are worried about where the funding and staff numbers for this will come from.

Early years leaders are concerned nurseries and childminders could struggle to deliver additional places for younger children if the funding provided by the Government does not cover increasing costs.

A number of early years providers have reported struggling financially, with some nurseries forced to close in recent years, due to funding pressures.

The survey Coram Family and Childcare, released in March, found that only half of local authorities in England said they had enough childcare places for children under two.

It also revealed the number of local authorities in England who report having enough places for the universal 15 hours a week free childcare entitlement for three and four-year-olds has dropped to 73 per cent.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive member for children, young people and education, Councillor Julie Gunn, said: “It’s very sad to hear about the closure of Beyond Walls and the impact that will have on the staff, children and their families.

“I know many nurseries are struggling at the moment due to the cost of living crisis and this is obviously a real problem for families who need to use nursery provision.

"Good quality, flexible childcare and early years education is vital to our children’s lifelong education and wellbeing and is often the only way parents can get out to work. 

“The council’s early years team will be available to provide support to help any families affected by this closure to find alternative provision if they need it and provide support for staff seeking alternative employment.”