Parents have expressed frustration and disappointment with the City of London Corporation amid uncertainty over whether a primary school will continue providing childcare services for kids under three. One said the potential ending of the provision at The Aldgate School as part of wider changes to services would feel like a ‘profound loss’, and that it would effectively tell local families ‘we don’t belong here’.
A spokesperson for the Corporation said the school is ‘working with key stakeholders to sustain 0-2 childcare’. They added the changes are designed to bring services closer to residents, and that the current spend on children’s centre provisions are not being reduced.
The Aldgate School is a one form entry primary school in the east of the City. Its child and family centre combines the on-site children’s centre with its nursery and reception classes, and provides full and part-time day care for kids aged between 12 weeks and three years.
In March this year, the City of London’s Community and Children’s Services Committee agreed to change how children's centre services are run and delivered. This followed a review which the City says involved conversations ‘with local families and partners’.
The decision means that from September 2025 the service will be called ‘Start for Life’ and run from locations across the City. It will also be brought in-house and managed by the Corporation directly. The services are to be delivered in venues including Shoe Lane Library, the Barbican Library, and Golden Lane Community Centre.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) however understands that under the changes, the current level of funding for The Aldgate School to deliver affordable childcare for those aged 0-2 is not to be extended beyond August 2025. Discussions have begun to explore options to keep the service going beyond that point.
In a letter sent to parents and carers in September, The Aldgate School’s Head Alexandra Allan warned as a result of the changes the children’s centre will close in August 2025.
Since then, a petition has been launched by Anna Lee at the GMB union calling for the centre to be retained. It has garnered more than 1,100 signatures so far. The City has told the LDRS it is not reducing its current spend on Children’s Centre services, and that the school is working with stakeholders to look into options to continue delivering its 0-2 childcare.
Several parents have however raised concerns about whether the provision will continue beyond next August. Joelle Grogan, a City resident and parent of two children attending the centre at Aldgate, said: “As a parent, it’s incredibly frustrating to be left in the dark about the future of our community's childcare support.
"This isn't just a budget issue; it's about what it says to families—that in one of the wealthiest cities in the world, our youngest children are somehow an afterthought. If they close this essential service at the only state primary school in the City of London, they’re effectively telling families that we don’t belong here. For those of us who have built our lives and community here, it feels like a profound loss.”
Anger at 'abrupt' changes
Amine El Qazoui, another parent, said he is ‘deeply concerned’ about the transparency from the City regarding the potential closure of the baby and toddler rooms at Aldgate. “The lack of clear answers on such an important matter for our children’s well-being is unacceptable,” he said.
“My youngest daughter, who currently attends the baby room, will be directly impacted by this decision and separated from her older sister, who is already at the school. We are ready to take all necessary steps to ensure our voices are heard and that the interests of our children and community are protected.”
Jiya Dave meanwhile described the City’s decision to change the services as ‘abrupt’, and also raised concerns about transparency. “The impact on families will be severe: removing affordable childcare for children aged 0–2 threatens stability for countless families in the City and Tower Hamlets.
"This move appears designed to prioritise certain areas, such as Barbican, over families in the east, where equally strong support is needed. Further, the City has shifted responsibility onto the school without providing sustainable funding or resources to maintain childcare services. This lack of support makes it increasingly difficult for The Aldgate School to continue providing the same level of care.”
Jason Pritchard, a Common Councillor for the local Portsoken ward, said there has been a ‘complete lack of communication’ from the City. He said the services the school’s children’s centre currently provide “have supported our children and their families, in a purpose-built safe and friendly environment, giving them a positive launch pad to learning and development. I hope the City remains true to its word and ensures these services continue at The Aldgate School, especially the provision of 0-2 childcare and family support services.
“It’s been a very unsettling time for parents, children, staff and the school. A quick, positive decision needs to be taken now by the City to ensure these services continue at the Aldgate School post-September 2025.”
A City of London Corporation’s spokesperson said: “Members have agreed to revise the delivery of Children’s Centre services for residents in the City. This is intended to bring services closer to residents, hearing their feedback on the current arrangements.
“It is also intended to grow Children’s Centre services to Family Hub services for families and young people up to 18 years old (or 25 years old with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). The Aldgate School is working with key stakeholders to explore options to sustain 0-2 childcare. The City of London Corporation is not reducing its current spend on Children’s Centre services.”
Parents ’concerned' and doubts raised
At a Community and Children’s Services Committee meeting this week, Common Councillor Mary Durcan asked whether the reasons behind moving the services from Aldgate School were financial. Dr Deborah Bell, Strategic Director of Education and Skills at the City, said: “The primary reasons are the ambition and the drive to create family services or a family hub in the City for residents and children requiring holistic support through the life of childhood into young adulthood, right up to the age of 25 for young people with Special Education Needs and Disabilities.”
She added the consultation showed residents want services delivered across the City, and that it did not come down to finances. Beverley Ryan, Chair of Governors at The Aldgate School, told the committee that stopping the service level agreement as was agreed does mean that without further funding the affordable childcare currently delivered will not be available.
She added parents are ‘concerned’ that from next September they will no longer be able to access the same services. Deputy John Fletcher also raised doubts about whether the current services can be adequately replaced by the City bringing them in-house, saying he opposed the recommendation in March and is ‘still not convinced’.
“What’s Plan B?” he asked. “What happens if in February you find that you cannot replace all of the services currently offered at the same or a higher level. What would we do then?”
Dr Bell said she is ‘confident’ a Plan B is not required. “However, it is prudent that the necessity for a Plan B is factored into our exit conversations and arrangements. And in fact this matter is being logged as a central risk and therefore arrangements for mitigations against that risk are being addressed at least quarterly.”
The Aldgate School was approached for comment.
Get the biggest stories from around London straight to your inbox. Sign up to MyLondon's The 12 HERE for the 12 biggest stories each day.
(Feed generated with FetchRSS)
0 Comments