Sheffield Hallam insists university nursery's numbers are in decline despite 1000-strong petition to save it
Parents ask how the nursery could have so many empty places during a childcare crisis in Sheffield.
Angry parents have rejected a city university’s claims their nursery could close because the number of students on its roll are “in decline.”
Sheffield Hallam University’s ‘Collegiate Nursery’, on Broomgrove Road, wrote home to parents on April 13 announcing a consultation over closing its doors for good “at the end of the summer term”.
SHU claims the nursery - which was rated Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted in 2023 - has just 39 children to fill 75 places, 13 of which are from staff and students, and has run at a loss since the pandemic, bleeding £600,000.
However, the sudden announcement has shocked parents who have railed against the university’s reasoning.
Several contacted The Star to say Sheffield stands to lose a “fantastic” SEND provision and a ”warm, nurturing” nursery during a childcare crisis in the city.
They also accuse SHU of failing to promote the daycare as open to the public, not just to staff and students, asking how it could have so few children on its books when dozens of other sites in Sheffield are at capacity with lengthy waiting lists.
A spokesperson said the nursery “has been highlighted across our external communication channels including online.”
Meanwhile, a petition to halt the consultation has topped nearly 1,100 names in six days, stating SHU increased costs for parents in June 2025, ”prior to which there was a waiting list for places - the rationale of reduced demand is now being used to justify closure.
“Parents and carers will be left struggling to find suitable childcare at what is already a difficult time for the sector.”
One parent, Anita Davies, wrote to The Star, claiming: “There was a substantial waiting list for places at the nursery until at least Spring 2025, so we are confused by the reference to ‘falling demand’ for places.
“I registered our youngest before they were even born to start when they were aged one, and even with that it was a struggle to get a place.
“It is well known that there is a shortage of early years places in Sheffield. The nursery was rated as outstanding last year, which again meant it was very popular. The majority of nurseries in Sheffield are full for September 2026 and operating waiting lists. So the reference to falling demand is confusing.
“This is totally out of the blue... to get an email suddenly announcing the possibility of closure, but that should it be closed you will be ‘signposted’ to other ‘providers’ is really stressful.”
“This message is likely to cause a flight of children from the nursery as parents scramble to ensure continuity of care, and this will of course help Hallam justify its closure,” wrote parent Phillip Murray.
“This is another shocking example of Hallam’s cavalier attitude to its staff, whom I believe were informed of this in a similarly abrupt and vague fashion. But it’s an additional affront that [they] seem to give so little consideration to the welfare of our children.”
Others questioned how much of the nursery’s £600,000 loss was accrued during the pandemic.
A spokesperson said it is “estimated that the operating loss for 2025/26 will be £141,500,” and denied claims the nursery has lost its subsidy from the university.
They said: “While falling demand has impacted income, even with higher take‑up the nursery would continue to operate at a loss due to fixed costs, staffing requirements, and the structure of a university‑run provision.
“This reflects wider sector trends, where demand for workplace‑based childcare has decreased and larger providers have expanded.”
Money troubles at Sheffield Hallam University
It comes amid wider changes and sell offs at Sheffield Hallam’s Collegiate Crescent campus as the university seeks to balance its books.
In February, SHU announced it would sell 12 historic mansions, each worth millions.
It also moved its Law and Social Sciences students from its Collegiate campus to its new £140m City Campus in late 2025, but claimed it will invest £4m on the Ecclesall Road buildings and keep them in use for “some years to come.”
Hallam is also in the process of setting up a controversial campus in London, as part of the £8bn Brent Cross Town development, near Hendon, due to open this autumn.
Meanwhile, £27m in job cuts and changes to pension schemes are expected at SHU in its 2026/27 budget. This itself comes after staff were told to expect £28m in savings in May 2025, and there were £60m in cuts and savings between 2022-24.
It also recently lost accreditation for its City Athletics Stadium track because it cannot afford the £1.5m to bring it up to standard.