We are seeking a short term extension to the current lease in the grounds of Collyers College to allow time to secure a long term location for Headstart Nursery.

We have recently been informed by Headstart Nursery in Horsham, West Sussex that it is likely to be forced close down at the end of March due to the need to vacate the land it currently occupies at Collyers College for further development of the site. Despite numerous attempts it has been unable to secure alternative premises in the local area and thus has no alternative other than to close, forcing its fantastic and caring team into unemployment and displacing a large number of children, with very limited options for continued early years education in the local community. 

We have twin boys, Arthur and Noah, who are nearly three years old and have been attending Headstart for some time along with our daughter, Elsbeth, who spent three years at Headstart prior to starting school last September. Headstart has been a fantastic learning environment for them with an incredibly caring team, and so we as parents must do all we can to support Headstart to find a suitable way forward to ensure our children do not suffer, parents can continue to work and the staff continue to have roles.

We understand that Collyers College, despite the plight of Hesdstart, are unwilling to enter any discussions regarding extending the lease on the existing site until an suitable permanent alternative is found. Whilst we understand that Collyers clearly has its own needs and aspirations we find it astonishing that you cannot offer more support to Headstart in these extraordinary circumstances.

As with all early years settings, Headstart has been hit hard by the COVID pandemic and as a result of continued early years funding cuts by central Government. As an established business serving the community for over 27 years we ask that Collyer College review their position and enter into further discussions with them

We as parents are willing to do whatever it takes to keep Headstart operational as its closure has a huge impact on our lives both in the ability for us to work and contribute to the local economy and knowing that our children will be devastated and traumatised by its closure.