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Thursday 7th November 2024

 

Dear Parents and Carers, 

 

We need to let you know some very important information about the future of Mudeford Wood Preschool.

 

We have been based here at Mudeford Wood Community Centre for over 30 years and have always prided ourselves on being at the heart of the community, committed to providing a safe, warm, friendly and stimulating environment for our local children to grow and thrive at affordable prices for our families. To help us with this in 2017 we secured a grant from the Department of Education, which funded a large amount of the cost of the build of our preschool room. We are proud to be a thriving preschool, providing care for 70 families, and with a waiting list. Despite this, to our dismay, our landlord - the Mudeford Wood Community Trust - have told us to leave at the end of this academic year - July 2025.

 

We are desperately sad and disappointed with the Mudeford Wood Community Trust’s decision. We have done everything we possibly can to meet their terms, and have sought support from BCP Council and Sir Christopher Chope, our MP. They have been supportive and are working with us to try to secure a future for us here at the Community Centre. 

 

We will continue to work to find a resolution with the Mudeford Wood Community Trust, but if that is not possible, please rest assured that we will not be closing, instead we will relocate to a new premises in the local area, and BCP council will support us with the move. They recognise that we are an essential part of our local community. All of the children and families who attend Mudeford Wood Preschool are precious to us, as well as our close- knit, experienced staff team, and we will ensure that every child and adult who is part of our preschool, will have a space moving forwards, even if we are forced to relocate for September 2025. 

 

I want to reassure you that, although this is not a situation that we have chosen, we will not let it affect the high-quality care and attention that we give your children in any way. Our priority is, and will always be, your children’s happiness, wellbeing and development. 

 

How can you help?

 

We have been working hard behind the scenes, but now we need your support. We know our preschool is a wonderful community of families, and you can help by expressing your thoughts and feelings about our possible forced relocation to the Mudeford Wood Community Trust, and to our local Councillors and Politicians. Please tell your friends and family about what is happening and encourage them to also express their opinions to the following contacts:

 

Liz Sabey- Chairperson of Mudeford Wood Community Trust - office@mwct.co.uk

 

Paul Hilliard - Mudeford, Stanpit & West Highcliffe Ward Councillor, Mayor of Christchurch - Paul.Hilliard@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

 

Lesley Dedman - Mudeford, Stanpit & West Highcliffe Ward Councillor, Chairman BCP Council - Lesley.Dedman@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

 

Christopher Chope MP Christchurch- CHOPEC@parliament.uk

 

We understand that this news is unsettling and may worry some families. We will be arranging a meeting for our families and the wider community shortly to share updates. But in the meantime, our door is always open, so please talk to me or any of the staff at drop off time if you have questions or feel concerned, or email or phone the preschool office at any time. I will also be at parents evening on Wednesday 13th November to answer questions, and our parent run committee are also happy to answer questions. 

 

We would like to thank you all for your continued support. We really do appreciate it, and it is what makes our Preschool so special and an important part of the community. 

 

Finally, please rest assured our Preschool is not closing - all of our team are looking forward to the future - it just might be in a different home.

 

Kindest Regards,

 

 

 

Emily and the Mudeford Wood Preschool Committee and Staff team