Private equity-owned Hackney nursery closes with 29 days notice
Family First said demand had "continued to decline" and it was "no longer financially sustainable".
www.bbc.co.ukRecent news about childcare in London centres on funding changes, nursery closures, and ongoing pressure on places and costs.[1][3][6]
Funding and free childcare changes
- The government’s expanded “free childcare” offer is rolling out in stages, with work now underway to extend funded hours to children from nine months old, feeding into the broader 30‑hour entitlement for working parents.[2][1]
- London councils and sector bodies warn that existing funding rates are still too low to cover the true cost of places, despite a multi‑million‑pound cash boost to early‑years providers.[4][2]
Nursery closures and shortages
- A recent example is Hackney Day Nursery and Preschool, run by the private‑equity‑owned Family First Group, which closed with only 29 days’ notice, leaving parents scrambling for alternative spaces amid already tight availability.[3]
- Across London, providers and local authorities report that rising energy, rent, and staffing costs, plus flat funding, are pushing some nurseries to cut funded places or close altogether.[6][1][2]
Costs and accessibility
- London remains one of the most expensive places in the UK for childcare, with sector analyses showing high average fees and “childcare deserts” in some boroughs where demand significantly outstrips supply.[1][6]
- Campaigners argue that even with expanded free hours, many low‑income families and those in disadvantaged areas risk being “priced out” if private‑top‑up fees remain high.[4][1]
If you say which London borough you’re in (or your child’s age), I can narrow this down to locally relevant schemes and support options.