After nearly six decades dedicated to providing the best start for its children, Manor Gardens’ Nursery will be closing its doors at the end of the academic year.

Established in 1964 the Nursery has played an integral role in the local community, providing exceptional care and education to thousands of children over the years. Run by Manor Gardens Welfare Trust the Nursery has long been recognised for its commitment to excellence, as demonstrated by its current Ofsted inspection, which rated the nursery as “good” with outstanding features. The passionate and highly skilled staff have tirelessly nurtured young minds, creating a safe and stimulating environment that fostered growth and development.

The closure of Manor Gardens’ Nursery has become an inevitable consequence of the challenging circumstances faced by childcare providers in the cost-of-living crisis. Islington is also experiencing low birth rates, which means that there are increased vacancies in early years settings across the Borough. The funding for supported 15-hour and 30-hour places in nurseries is also very tight and has made it increasingly difficult for childcare providers like Manor Gardens Welfare Trust to sustain nursery provision.

‘We are deeply saddened to have made the decision to close our nursery,’ says Hekate Papadaki, CEO of Manor Gardens Welfare Trust. ‘It has been a privilege to serve the families of Islington for almost sixty years, and we are grateful for the trust and support bestowed upon us. Our dedicated staff members have worked tirelessly to ensure that each child received the highest quality care and education, and we are immensely proud of their accomplishments.

‘Although the closure of Manor Gardens Nursery is undoubtedly a loss for the community, as a charity we remain committed to providing vital services for children and families in the borough. We are actively exploring opportunities to develop new initiatives and expand our offerings from this space, aiming to address the evolving needs of the community. We know the importance of early childhood development and are determined to play our part in supporting the growth and well-being of children in this vibrant community. I’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the families, staff, partners, and supporters who have contributed to the nursery’s success over the past six decades.’

The organisation remains committed to its mission of providing exceptional care and educational opportunities for children, and will continue to explore avenues to achieve this goal.