Colchester: Evicted special needs nursery faces closure

Owners of a ‘lifeline’ special needs nursery say they have no choice but to close when council chiefs evict them, according to the Colchester Evening Gazette.

The Stepping Stones Nursery cares for more than 80 children each week, coming from as far afield as Norfolk, Suffolk and the London boroughs. It provides vital respite care for families and an important social opportunity for otherwise excluded youngsters.

The nursery, set up 16 years ago, has been asked to relocate by the council from its home at the Wilson Marriage Centre in Colchester. The transfer of adult education classes to the centre following the closure of Grey Friars College will mean there’s no longer room for the nursery.

As the nursery has nowhere to relocate to, it will be unable to continue providing care.

A special £100,000 sensory garden and room funded by community groups at the centre, will be wasted if the nursery is forced to leave.

- Article contributed by: Mr & Mrs L.C. M, Colchester