FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hopscotch?

Hopscotch is a nursery and drop in for under 5’s which has been serving the needs of local parents in Brondesbury, Queens Park and Kilburn for 26 years. It’s run by a charity for the benefit of the community and is non-profit . Almost 70 children attend the nursery and 100’s of families use the drop-in.

We think it’s great and Ofsted agree - they gave the nursery the highest rating:
“Children thoroughly enjoy attending this vibrant nursery...The nursery is an exciting place where children are very happy, secure and particularly confident ...The quality of the provision is outstanding” Oftsted 2011.

What’s happening to Hopscotch?

The building Hopscotch has occupied for over 20 years belongs to Brent Council. The lease runs out in July 2013 and the council say they won’t renew it - which means Hopscotch will be evicted and forced to close. This will be a terrible loss not just for the many children who go there, but to the whole community.

Why is Hopscotch So Important?

There is a real lack of nursery provision in this area, especially nurseries that stay open for the whole working day. Hopscotch always runs at full capacity and there’s nowhere else for most of the children to go. The Brondesbury / Queens Park area is popular with families, but without sufficient childcare provision working families will be forced to go elsewhere. The drop-in also provides a much needed resource for families at all income levels - with high quality activities and equipment available to all, every weekday. The quality of Hopscotch is unparalleled; it’s the only full time nursery in the area with an Outstanding rating. People who went to Hopscotch as children are now sending their own children there. It’s truly a special place which once lost, can never be replaced.

Why is Brent Doing This?

Good question - you should ask them. The only official response we’ve had is that the building is considered “surplus to requirements” and so they want to get rid of it. We don’t think providing superb childcare to so many families is surplus to requirement. We think it’s exactly the kind of thing Brent should be actively supporting - not trying to shut down.

Is This To Do With The Cuts?

No. A very similar proposal was put forward in 2007 long before today’s austerity drive. The plans were halted and Hopscotch’s lease was extended - largely thanks to a vigorous local campaign. Sadly - the lease is once again running out and Hopscotch faces the threat of closure. At a time of cuts a charity like Hopscotch is all the more precious; providing a valuable local service available to all parents without council funding.

Could Hopscotch Nursery Move?

The current location is ideal in many ways - in particular benefiting from an award winning outdoor space and play area. However, if a suitable local site were to be found none of us would object to moving - it’s the people that matter more than the building. However no suitable location has yet been found - and the requirements for getting both planning permission and Ofsted approval for a new site are not straightforward. The current situation is that if Brent carry out their plan to evict the nursery it will close and the responsibility will rest with the council.

If you do know of a suitable site please email info@savehopscotch.org.uk

Who Set Up This Website?

We are an informal group of local people who care about Hopscotch and want to make sure it carries on its excellent work. Most of us are parents with children at the Nursery or Drop-In - but we welcome all support.

What Can We Do About It?

We all need to act to make clear to Brent that our children, and the childcare they receive, are not surplus to requirements. There’s still time to get them to reconsider and to save Hopscotch - but they’ll only do that if they realise the depth of feeling that exists on the issue. That means we need to spread the word and make our voice heard.

Most importantly, please make sure your email is on the list so we can keep you informed.

Tell your friends - anyone who has used Hopscotch, might use it in the future, or just thinks that high quality childcare is something the council should support.

Follow us on twitter and facebook and use social media to spread the word.

And email or call your local councillors - ask them why Brent is taking this action and what they’ll do about it. You can find all their addresses here.

If you get a reply or have any other questions, drop us a line at info@savehopscotch.org.uk.


There’s lots more to do and we’ll be updating this website regularly with ways you can help.
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Many thanks.