THE future of a West Hampstead nursery remains unclear after it was revealed that the company chosen by the council to run the service over six months ago has yet to sign on the dotted line.
The council-owned nursery in the Fortune Green Play Centre in Fortune Green Road was controversially closed by Town Hall bosses last July at a saving of around £58,000 a year, despite objections from parents.
The council accepted a bid from Israeli nursery, Gan Sabres, formerly based in Hampstead Synagogue in Dennington Park Road, in September but six months later, there are still no plans for an opening.
Instead Gan Sabres has moved to Hendon Synagogue as a temporary measure while owners negotiate with council bosses about the site.
Sarah Kochanovsky, who runs Gan Sabres, said: “There were a number of things we were not told about when we bid for the site. I was looking to open all year round where they want us to open during term times. There are also some repairs to the building that need to be done.”
Ms Kochanovksy, who added that the nursery was open to any faith, said she was hoping to resolve the outstanding issues as soon as possible – but conceded she would be unlikely to open in Fortune Green before September.
Anne Clarke, a parent from Holmdale Road, said that it was time for Camden Council to take action.
She said: “This nursery wants to charge £150 per week which is much more than other nurseries.
“They also teach in Hebrew which excludes a great number of people from the community. That is wrong when it is a council-owned space. I believe the council needs to either push Gan Sabras to commit itself or put the space up for tender again.”
Joan Gilbert, who runs The Learning Tree nursery in Kilburn and who bid unsuccessfully for the site last year, said: “I am ready to move in and open next term.
“My nursery provides the least expensive childcare sessions of any private nursery in Camden with the benefit of the highest grade at Ofsted.”
Leisure and community services boss Councillor Phil Turner, responding to a question from Lib Dem councillor Flick Rea on the future of the playcentre earlier this month, said that bosses were waiting for Gan Sabres to sign on the dotted line.
He said: “We have agreed the terms of the licence with Gan Sabres and await a final signature. Following receipt of this and Ofsted approval, the nursery will commence as soon as possible on a two-year licence.”