Greenshoots Preschool in Plymouth is urgently seeking a new home after Laira Green Primary School informed them it would be taking over their current space. The preschool, which has been based in the school’s Bramley Road building for 14 years, learned that the primary school plans to open its own preschool next year.
The decision has left Greenshoots’ staff and trustees heartbroken. The primary school intends to offer early childhood education to children as young as two, taking over both the preschool facilities and the early morning and after-school care. A consultation on the plan is underway, but Greenshoots is already preparing for eviction and is searching for new premises.
Greenshoots, which has earned an “outstanding” rating from Ofsted, was founded as a community initiative in 2010 and currently cares for 27 children, with capacity for 40. Craig Edwards, a trustee, expressed disappointment over the decision, stating that the move appeared to be driven by business considerations rather than a focus on children’s welfare.
“We’ve been part of the school for 14 years, and we’re gutted,” Edwards said. “This is a business decision for the school. It’s not about what’s best for the children. We’ve been rated outstanding by Ofsted, so it’s hard to understand why the school would want to replace us.”
In light of the closure, Greenshoots is actively seeking a new location. They have appealed for support from the Plymouth community, particularly those with suitable premises for a preschool. The charity’s trustees have also been working with Plymouth City Council, though they are open to exploring alternative locations if necessary, including church halls.
“We don’t want to disappear,” said Edwards. “We want to continue supporting children and families. Our goal is to find a new home, ideally in this area, but if we need to relocate, we’ll start over.”
Laira Green Primary School, which is not part of any trust, is currently conducting a four-week consultation on the proposal, which will end on December 16. The school aims to introduce a “teacher-led” preschool class for three-year-olds, with the option of expanding to include two-year-olds. The school emphasized that its goal is to provide a seamless transition for children from preschool to primary school and to continue offering wraparound care.
A spokesperson for the primary school stated, “Our plan aligns with the Government’s directive to expand early childhood education. We believe this new provision will offer high-quality, teacher-led learning for local children, ensuring they’re well-prepared for school.”
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