Setting Closure

Please see a letter sent out today regarding the closure of Chester’s House Childcare as a result of the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

19th March 2020

Dear Parents/Carers,

Enforced Closure with effect from Friday 20th March 2020

As I am sure you are aware The Wincanton Early Years Centre will close until further notice with effect from 6.00pm on Friday 20th March 2020.  This is as a result of a direct instruction from the UK government as a response to the ongoing Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

At this stage the length of this closure is unknown and will be dependant on instructions from central government.  The situation is very fluid at the moment and should we be required to provide nursery care for vulnerable children or those with parents in the ‘Key Person’ groups this position will be reviewed.  If you feel you fall into the ‘Key Person’ category please email stating your name, your child’s name and your occupation to rob@southsomersetnurseries.co.uk

I have received many queries regarding the payment of fees during a period of closure.  I would like to refer you to Point 1 of our Emergency Closure Policy which states;

“In some cases it may be necessary to close the nursery at short notice.  This may be due to events out of our control such as (but not limited to); 

•       Power Failure 

•       Water Supply Failure 

•       Adverse Weather 

•       Outbreak of serious illness 

You will have received a physical copy of this policy when you joined. 

However, the conditions we are all facing are unprecedented and I feel it is important I operate my business in such a way that is fair and morally right for my staff and the families that use our setting.  I have therefore decided it is inappropriate to enforce this point from our policies during the current Covid-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak.

As we have been forced to close as a result of government instruction I am confident that we will be able to access funding via the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan scheme announced by the Prime Minister earlier this week (17th March 2020).  Until this funding is accessible  I would urge parents/carers to continue to pay their nursery fees as normal, if at all possible, even if we are closed.  This will allow all our fixed costs, such as staff wages and lease costs to be paid until the government financial support is received.  All our staff will continue to be employed based on their current terms and conditions and no job losses are planned. 

All parents/carers that support us in this way will receive a full refund of fees for the time the setting is closed and will be guaranteed of returning to their usual attendance schedule when we reopen.  

Any updates as to our operating position will be posted on our website.  This can be found at www.southsomersetnurseries.co.uk.  If you have any specific queries during our closure please email me directly at rob@southsomersetnurseries.co.uk

Although things seem desperate at the moment this situation will pass.  As soon as any closures are lifted we will be back, ready to continue caring for, and educating your children!

I would like to thank you all for your support during this very difficult time and please look after each other.

Rob & Kayleigh Green