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NURSERY provision at a Malvern primary school has been saved thanks to hard work by staff and governors.

The nursery class at Malvern Hills Primary School seemed doomed after Worcestershire County Council decided last July to withdraw funding, saying that low numbers meant the £30,000 annual running costs were unviable.

But head and governors turned to the private sector for a solution. And this week, the school announced that Magic Moments Childcare, of Barnt Green, will be running the nursery from September.

Dinah Sage, chairman of the governors, said: "It's absolutely marvellous news. We advertised, got half-a-dozen replies and interviewed two of them, and we're delighted to appoint Magic Moments Childcare."

She said that each parent would get 15 hours a week free child care, and that the new set-up was more flexible. "The existing nursery provision is for the morning only, but Magic Moments will be able to provide longer hours," she said.

"We're hoping that it will attract children from a wider area and the children and their parents will have a chance to see what a great school we have here."

Head Andy Chilman said: "We're passionately committed to nursery education, so it's great that we've managed to get together with Magic Moments to continue this. Parents I have spoken to are really pleased about it. This is something that will help secure the future of the school."

The 15 hours a week childcare is a statutory entitlement that all young children are eligible for.

County councillor Di Rayner said: "I'm absolutely delighted by this news. I felt right from the beginning that closing down the nursery would be a ridiculous mistake."

Parents, staff and governors at Malvern Hills Primary are used to fighting adversity together. The school itself was threatened with closure by the council three years ago, and was only saved by an independent adjudicator.

Richard and Laura Bennett, founders of Magic Moments Childcare, were not available for comment this week.

8:36am Friday 21st March 2008

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