PROTESTING parents unhappy over the planned closure of a 'godsend' Halesowen nursery insist school chiefs should be able to find the money to keep it open.

The future of Little Colliers Day Nursery in Colley Lane, Colley Gate, is under threat with its associated school Colley Lane Primary Academy advocating its closure.

A decision date of November 6 has been set, leading angry parents to form a protest group aimed at keeping the nursery open.

Aziz-Fatima Shah, whose three-year-old daughter attends the nursery, said the proposals had taken parents by surprise.

She said: “The thing that parents are really stressed about is that it is half term next week and the decision is going to be made the week after.

“The whole plan seems to have been put together as to not allow parents a timeframe to do something about it.

“A lot of parents have rung up other local nurseries for places and there is nowhere available. Where are our children going to go?

“I’m a single mum and the nursery has been a godsend for me and for other parents who haven’t got anyone else to look after their children.

“It’s a neighbourhood nursery. All my three children have been there. My eldest son is nearly 14 and he went to Little Colliers. A lot of the staff are still the same from back then and they are lovely.”

The 35-year-old mum-of-three claimed financial problems were attributed as the reason for shutting down the nursery at a recent meeting attended by parents at Colley Lane Primary.

But she says parents and nursery staff have worked out a host of ways that an estimated £20,000 budget deficit could be reduced.

Aziz-Fatima added: “Staff have proposed that they will reduce their wages. Parents are happy for fees to be raised slightly. And one of the parents has devised a business plan.”

The parents’ group has invited Cradley and Wollescote councillor Richard Body to a meeting about the plans this Friday – 7pm at Wilson Hall – and he says he will support their quest.

Cllr Body told the News: “We will do all we can to appeal to the governors to change their minds and keep it open.

“The nursery has a track record of being excellent, the parents think it is great and it should not be assessed on a business basis, it should be assessed on an educational and local community needs basis.”

A spokesperson at Windsor Academy Trust – which runs Colley Gate Primary – said: “Windsor Academy Trust is embarking on a formal consultation to review the provision at Little Colliers Nursery following a proposal from Colley Lane Academy.

“The consultation finishes on 7th November 2018. Consideration will be given to the consultation feedback and the School and Trust Directors will make a decision.”