Medway Community Centre could be turned into nursery

Medway Community Centre is currently used by All Sorts of Performing Arts but the dance group is moving out at the end of August.

Worcester Municipal Charities, which owns the building, is keen to let the community centre to a charity or non-profit that will benefit the community.

Plans have been put forward to convert the building into a nursery, providing term-time childcare for children aged nine months to five years.

SCHEME: Floor plans for the proposed nursery (Image: Lett and Sweetland Architects)

According to proposals submitted to Worcester City Council: “This will provide children from deprived areas of the community the opportunity to develop and learn in an environment that is appropriately equipped and staffed with knowledgeable caring practitioners.

“It will provide a childcare provision for parents who wish to return to work.”

The nursery plans to offer SEND ‘stay and play sessions’ for families with children additional needs.

Planning documents say this would be a “group for families to share knowledge, training and support and empower each other in what is a very challenging, emotional time for parents.

“Providing wellbeing support for families from our knowledgeable staff who have personal experience in the field.”

A summer holiday club would also be run for children eligible for free school meals, “giving children opportunities to experience days out, arts, exercise [and] supporting mental wellbeing.”

The nursery also says it would run a community food pantry, “using local shops and supermarkets to share surplus foods to the families in the community who are experiencing food poverty”.

“The aim of the provisions is to provide positive promotion of community cohesion, to support families in need, give children the best start in life, enhance health and wellbeing and provide members with a sense of belonging and identity.

“We hope to offer opportunities for all and provide a safe and non-judgemental space for social interaction, knowledge exchange and support.

“There is great need for a childcare provision setting in the Ronkswood area.

“Worcester Children’s First statistics have shown there are inadequate childcare settings to provide enough spaces for children in and around this area.”