Sheffield nursery run by same five mums who launched it 20 years ago closes
A renovation project at Brunswick Primary means the playgroup’s home will be knocked down this summer
A Sheffield nursery still run by the five mums who started it over 20 years ago has had to close.
Woodhouse Community Playgroup has seen generations of children come and go since opening on the site of Brunswick Primary School, Station Road, in 2003.
Right up until the end, it was run by the same team of mums who launched it and is one of the few remaining non-profit daycares left in the city where parents can access childcare for £6 an hour.
However, a sorely-needed renovation project at Brunswick Primary means the playgroup’s home will be knocked down this summer.
Parents and children said goodbye to those behind Woodhouse Community Playgroup on July 17 with an ‘honour guard’ outside the school gates to see the ladies off.
Special needs coordinator Nichola told The Star: “Friday was very emotional. A lot of parents posted about us closing and how wonderful it was being here.
“We’ve had the children of previous children come through here. The families still keep in touch, and they became part of our family.”
Despite efforts, Sheffield City Council was unable to find a new building for team, leaving the nursery with nowhere to go.
The team of five mums - Joanne, Tracey, Suzanne, Nichola and Julie - launched the playgroup for their own children while training with Open University and college courses.
Nichola said: “I started working here when I was 24. I used to come with my daughter and I didn’t have a job, so I asked if I could wash pots or something.
“I became part of the team, they put me through learning and I went back to college - they really took me under their wing.
“I’m still here and now I’m a grandma.
“I personally lost on Friday - I had my armour on, telling myself not to be emotional, but as soon as one parent said how much it all meant to them I just started blubbering.”
Sadly, a plan to demolish and rebuild Brunswick Primary has come at the cost of losing the playgroup.
When The Star contact the playgroup, the ladies were still on site emptying cupboards and “finding things that bring back memories.”
Nichola said: “It’s brilliant that the school is getting a new building, but the sad part is that the preschool has to go.
“We’ve said about maybe reuniting in a few weeks. It will be culture shock if we don’t get new jobs in education.
“It’s a very fulfilling job. If you get children on the right path they get through a lot of referrals and next steps quicker.
“Behind every organisation there’s an army of people that help you out and we’re no different. Thank you to past parents, families, carers, the committee, volunteers - there’s been so many over the years.”