Parent group accuses Sheffield Hallam University of 'failing to manage' nursery at risk of closure
“It is going to be hard to find spaces for all 39 children elsewhere”
A petition to try to save a Sheffield university’s children’s nursery from closure has gained 1,500 signatures.
Sheffield Hallam University shocked parents in April by announcing a consultation to shut its Collegiate Nursery, on Broomgrove Road, with the loss of up to 75 childcare places.
However, parents rejected the city university’s claims that the number of children at the ‘Outstanding’ rated daycare’s roll are in decline.
Now, a petition to halt the consultation has topped 1,500 - with an organiser accusing the university of failing to manage the nursery.
Torsten Haensel, a parent from the group, said: “We were told out of the blue that Sheffield Hallam University wanted to close the nursery.
“As parents who depend on this nursery, we immediately started a petition, within a week we had gathered over 1,000 signatures, as of today 1,500 people have added their names.
“This shows the strength of feeling in the wider community about saving this nursery.
“We need to do everything we can to save SHU Collegiate Nursery.
“We have been contacting and visiting other nurseries but there aren’t many places available, and very few compare to the fantastic provision.
“It is going to be hard to find spaces for all 39 children elsewhere.
“The university told us it wants to close the nursery for ‘financial reasons’, but given that parents pay hefty fees and the nursery draws down government funding we as a group of parents do not believe it’s being managed properly.
“We feel they should leave no stone unturned to make the nursery financially sustainable, and that it can be profitable.”
Families created the ‘Parents Save SHU Collegiate Nursery’ campaign and asked anyone who can help to contact [email protected] or find their page on @saveshunursery.
The 1,500 strong petition was presented to Abtisam Mohamed MP on April 23. The MP said: “Having spoken with parents, it’s clear to me that closing the nursery is the wrong decision as it is still very much needed. Parents have had little time to find alternatives. Many can’t find places, while others are facing lengthy waiting lists. I encourage everyone to sign the petition.
“Alongside the dedicated efforts of parents, I will be meeting with the university to press them to explore alternative options. It’s clear that this is a vital nursery for the community and it must remain open.”
A spokesperson for Sheffield Hallam University previously 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.”
It comes amid numerous nursery closures in Sheffield in recent years amid changes to free childcare hours, staffing costs, rent, and many settings feeling forced to put up fees.
Meanwhile, in February 2024, Dr Sipra Deb, the managing director of eight nurseries, including Sheffield’s Seeds to Stars Nursery and Frecheville Children’s Nursery, warned the battle against underfunding, rising costs and declining staff retention would lead to provisions closing “left, right and centre”.