Staff at a nursery which has been open inside a recreation centre since 1996 say they have been told to “leave immediately” by new owners.
Bosses at Little Acorns Pre-school inside the Kingsnorth Recreation Centre told KentOnline that they were informed via the new owner’s solicitors yesterday morning that they need to leave.
It comes as the site was sold off by Ashford Borough Council (ABC) at the start of the year to World Mission Agency (Winners Chapel International), a religious organisation and charity.
Manager of the preschool Donna White, says they were reassured constantly throughout the sale period that they would be safe.
Despite this, they have now been left shocked and upset after hearing they need to pack up.
“We found out that the landlord would like us to vacate immediately,” she said.
“We have 14 members of staff and 54 children here, and a waiting list at present, and nearly full for new starters in September.
“There are very few spaces locally so where will these children go?”
It comes after a planning application was put in by the new owners last month for the building to be converted into a church.
Submitted by World Mission Agency (Winners Chapel International), the proposals would see the site become a place of worship while still being a community centre.
After initially seeing the plans, Mrs White said staff at Little Acorns were unsure on whether the nursery would be affected and subsequently got in touch with the landlord to find out. They initially received no reply but yesterday were informed that they needed to leave.
“We have responded by asking what they mean by immediate and if we can at least stay until the end of this academic year and transition to schools is done,” the 45-year-old said.
“We’ve received funding for children until the end of this academic year so we don’t know what it means for us.
“We don’t know if we need to find another place or shut down – we’ve been here since 1996 and the part of the building we’re in was built specifically for Little Acorns.
“We’re really upset, it was completely out of the blue.
“We’re also tied into business contracts. We just thought they would be a bit more charitable towards another charity – we’re not here for profit, we’re here for the community.
“It could mean the end of Little Acorns.”
Parents have also been left in limbo with many unsure what this will mean for their children’s education.
Danny Woodin from Bridgefield who has a two-year-old son at Little Acorns says the uncertainty has been stressful.
“We got an email from the manager explaining they had been promised the sale would not affect them,” the 33-year-old explained.
“But all of a sudden the new owners got the keys and told the nursery to get out.
“We understand the building has been sold, but a bit of notice would have been nice, it would have given us all a fighting chance.
“It’s one of the best nurseries in the area, the kids love going there.
“The kids are at school today, we don’t know if they will be tomorrow so parents are in limbo, especially those who work.”
Mum Lauren Clegg from Great Chart said she is frustrated at ABC for selling off the building in the first place.
She said: “It’s devastating, we don’t even know if the children can stay there until the end of the term.
“We don’t want to go anywhere else, my daughter loves that nursery and she adores the staff.
“The idea of having to send her to a new place is distressing.
“We always knew this was a possibility and we are frustrated at the council for allowing it to happen.
“We are not against the church, it’s just the fact they are taking over and immediately turfing out something that is really desperately needed by the community.”
Dad David Nicholson moved his son Luke to Little Acorn Nursery after struggling to find a place suitable for his needs.
He says finding him a new facility at such short notice would be a huge challenge.
“My son is autistic and my wife is his full-time carer, so the nursery is a massive lifeline three days a week,” the 36-year-old added.
“I felt angry when I heard what was going on.
“The last nursery my son went to before wasn’t equipped for his needs and Little Acorns have done really well with him.
“I can’t imagine we will find somewhere so short notice that can do all of that.”
Chris Myers from Park Farm says the nursery closing would mean his wife would have to give up work to care for their children.
He said: “This has caused a lot of disruption, we would have no other options.
“It was a community building, it doesn’t sound like it will be any more.”
His wife Sue Myers added: “When we got the email it was such a shock.
“It will have a knock-on effect for everyone, parents and the ladies who work here.
“If it has to move to the other side of Ashford it won’t be part of our community any more.”
Mum Rebecca Woodin from Park Farm says she burst into tears when she first heard the news.
The 31-year-old said: “My son started here in January, he is two and he has only just settled in.
“He has learned so much and we are working parents so it will impact not just me, but everyone in the community.
“It’s such a big thing to find a trusting place for your children and I can’t think where else I could put him.
“There are great nurseries around but there are no spaces; I would have to give up my job to work around child care.
“There needs to be some community spirit and they should let the nursery stay until last least the end of term so they have time to find a new space.”
The uncertainty has put extra stress on parents at the nursery, including mum Danielle Adey.
The 33-year-old said: “This was one of four nurseries on Park Farm, but one closed down after a tragedy, and the other two don’t have space so what are we supposed to do?
“This is a community hub, it is very upsetting.
“I’m worried my son won’t react well to the change of having to find someone new.”
The plans put forward by World Mission Agency (Winners Chapel International) say the charity aims to “benefit the local community while advancing the Christian faith by providing needed spiritual support and social integration”.
The application also says that its change of use would bring economic, social and environmental benefits.
These include the creation of jobs and a safe place with accessible services and open spaces to support communities’ health, social and cultural well-being.
“The proposal seeks to provide needed social integration and welfare platform for the local community through the re-use of a potentially vacant building by the charity,” the applicant continues.
“The proposed development would also generate a small number of jobs, thus creating a net gain in the borough.”
So far, the application has received one objection from Kingsnorth Parish councillor Jim Wedgbury, who says the change of use should not be allowed.
“I’ve got no problem with the purchase of the property and they have every right to do what they’re doing and I understand why they’re doing it,” he said.
“What I’m concerned about is that I think it was totally unacceptable for the borough council to sell off the publicly owned property to private people. They’ve basically sold the family silver.”
After hearing the new owners asked Little Acorns to leave, the councillor added: “I wish to call on the new owners of the centre to reconsider their eviction of Little Acorns.
“Little Acorns has given the children of Park Farm and Kingsnorth a fantastic educational start for over 25 years and parents who went there are now sending their own children to Little Acorns. As Christians, the new owners should know how important pre-schools are and should re-consider what looks like an unchristian act.”
Victor Aigbogun, a solicitor acting on behalf of Winners Chapel said: “The nursery has a tenancy-at-will so there is no existing arrangement between the council and the nursery.
“A tenancy-at-will means it does not require a notice period.
“Discussions have taken place today with the nursery today to find a solution.
“We are a charitable organisation, we love our community, we would like to operate peacefully with the community.
“We are not for profit, we are here to advance our cause which is to help the community.
“It is open to everybody, the love of christ is centred for all.
“My client will look at the nurseries best interest as it has a social responsibility for the area.“
