HUNDREDS of parents have signed a petition to save childcare services at an infant school in Wirral.
The petition titled ‘Save our Essential Childcare Provision at Overchurch Schools’ has been signed by more than 600 people in less than 24 hours in a bid to stop the planned termination of the lease agreement for Little Robins Nursery by Overchurch Infant School in Upton.
The current lease is due to close in July 2025.
Local community group, Parents of Little Robins & Overchurch Children, who started the petition, said: “For 21 years, our community has benefited from comprehensive childcare provision, provided by Little Robins onsite at Overchurch Schools in Upton, Wirral.
“From babies taking their first steps to primary school children completing homework with trusted carers, this service has supported thousands of local families.”
In October 2024, parents were informed that this provision would end in July 2025.
The petition continues: “The impact of this decision reaches far beyond simple wraparound care: Families with babies and toddlers will lose their nursery provision, working parents will have no holiday club coverage, siblings will be separated between different providers, children will lose relationships with long-term, trusted carers, the community will lose a vital service that has supported generations.
“This isn't just about childcare - it's about children's wellbeing and stability, keeping siblings together, supporting working families, maintaining our community's support network, protecting jobs for experienced childcare staff.
“While the school plans to offer some wraparound care, the loss of nursery provision and holiday clubs will create significant gaps for local families.
"Many parents chose Overchurch Schools specifically because of this comprehensive care provision.”
The petition is now calling on school governors to pause the current decision, consider partnership options and protect children’s comprehensive care.
Helen Airton, a supporter of the petition, added: “Both my children attend Little Robins as an after school club and holiday club.
“The kids love it as the care they receive is consistently outstanding.
“The recent plan to stop the lease and change the provision of service is not of benefit to the children, it will not improve the quality of the service, and does not appear to benefit the school.
“It doesn't meet the needs of the community. More consultation is required.”
The school said that a new wraparound provision would be offered to parents in the following school year which would “build on and extend the quality of wraparound care already provided”.
A Wirral Council spokesperson said: “The school Governors recently agreed not to renew the lease to the private provider who currently lease a building on the school site to operate their private day nursery.
“The current lease is due to continue until July 2025. The school will continue to work alongside Little Robins to minimise any disruption to families.
“The following school year (2025-26) will see a new wraparound provision offered, building on and extending the quality of wraparound care already provided.
“The school are committed to delivering a high level of wraparound care for the children that meets the needs of the school community.”
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