THE head of an established nursery says it is being forced to shut down after 32 years because of crippling costs and unhelpful Government policies.

Springlands Nursery, in Shrub End Road, Colchester, will close its doors in six weeks unless another private operator can be found.

Youngsters have been attending the nursery since 1985, but principal Catherine House said nurseries around the country were struggling with cashflow because of the national living wage, workplace pensions, cost of background checks and the removal of small business relief for sick leave.

She said: “I can’t keep the high standards Springlands has always aspired due to in the current economic and political climate.

“The team at Springlands recognises nursery education has a tremendous impact on adult choices and well-being later in adult life,but we are struggling to keep financially afloat and it is unacceptable to make any further cuts in our service.”

Springlands was due to see its business rates increase by 50 per cent when the Government’s changes came into force in April. Parents and staff have now been informed about the impending closure.

Other problems for the nursery have included being unable to find suitable staff because of a national skills shortage while the salaries for senior staff remain static.

In April, the Government’s free child care entitlement scheme is set to double from 15 hours per week to 30 with income not covering the cost of delivering care meaning other sessions would have to change to subsidise the losses.

Ms House added: “We will continue to be fully operational and totally professional right up to the end.”

Tara Hughes has sent her children to the nursery for the past six years and said she was incredibly disappointed to hear the news.

She said: “The general public has no idea how fantastic Springlands is, what it has done for families over the years and this is devastating news personally, for my children and Colchester in general.”

Administrator Tracy Theobald, who has worked at the nursery for the past 24 years, said staff were shattered by the news but were determined to remain professional until their last day of trading on April 5.

She said: “We are all feeling sad after so many children, families and trainees have blossomed, including my own children.

“But the children always have come first and we will continue to do so over the coming weeks.”