FALLING demand has been blamed for the decision to close a nursery that has been running for 30 years.
Unitots nursery, which is based at University of Worcester's St John’s campus, is to close on August 31 it has been announced.
The university accepts the children of staff and students from three months up to school age.
A spokesperson from the university said: "Unitots nursery at the University of Worcester was established in 1992 to help students with young children to study.
"At the time there was relatively little early years’ provision in the city.
"Unitots went on to provide nursery facilities for staff and later members of the wider community but the primary purpose of the nursery has always been to provide a facility for students.
"As part of its commitment to supporting its students the University ensured Unitots was organised highly flexibly to fit in with student study. This led to a considerable degree of financial subsidy.
"In recent years demand for the nursery, particularly from students, has fallen significantly.
"The total number of children is less than half the number in the 2000s.
"Unitots is now used by the children of fewer than 1 in 1,500 students.
"The situation is worsening rather than improving and there is no indication that this position will change.
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"After a period of consultation the University has taken the very difficult decision to close the nursery.
"We recognise this is a difficult time for our colleagues, parents and children and will do all that we can to minimise any potential disruption.”
We reported last year that Unitots received a damning Ofsted report which raised concerns over children's safety.
In that report, inspectors gave the nursery an 'Inadequate' rating saying the welfare of children was being “compromised”, with concerns raised by staff members not followed up or documented effectively.
But the nursery bounced back earlier this year receiving a 'good' rating after another inspection.
Inspectors in that report said managers have made "significant improvements" since the last inspection with all staff now having a good understanding of their responsibility to safeguard children.
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