Aldgate’s local parents set to lose important ‘heart of community’ providing affordable childcare and family support services
The City of London Corporation has announced a decision to close the City Child and Family Centre in August 2025.
The Children’s Centre, based at the Aldgate School provides early years education, affordable childcare and other support services for children and families.
The Centre employs highly qualified, experienced and committed childcare professionals who are integral to exceptional early years education. This will mean some staff who have worked at the children's centre for many years will lose their jobs, and others will be transferred to other services in the City of London.
A GMB member who works at the centre said:
“Children’s centres are not only about childcare, the service provides a whole host of important support and advice services to families.
“That means all the family support work, stay-and-play sessions, health advice, administrative work, signposting and referrals to other services, crèche facilities that enable education and training for parents etc, will be a huge loss to parents.
Anna Lee, GMB London Regional Organiser said:
“The closure of the children’s centre will be devastating for local parents and their children who depend on this unique facility in the City of London.
“Closure will not only negatively impact the children but could seriously impact parent's employment options. The City of London is lacking other affordable childcare facilities and local nursery waiting lists are long which could mean parents will have to change or quit their jobs to care for their children.
“We know parents have contacted the City of London and the Chair of the Community and Children Services Committee explaining just how vital this ‘Heart of the Community’ service is, they have also set up a petition against the closure.
“Representing GMB members at the centre, and concerns about the impact this decision will have on the local community, GMB is speaking with the City of London calling for the Corporation to reconsider this devasting decision.”
Please sign the petition.
