Gorleston: House of Fun nursery petition reaches 600 people

It is understood that a group of parents, whose children attend the House of Fun Nursery, on Longs Industrial Estate in Gorleston, want to save the business.

The nursery, which opened in 2003, was told to close with immediate effect by Scottish company DK Acquisitions on Wednesday, September 6 - the first day of the new term. 

Staff were told the reason for the closure was "financial". 

A petition set up last week to save the Gorleston nursery has now received more than 600 signatures. 

Amy Green and her three-year-old son Reggie Wall. (Image: Amy Green)

Amy Green, 30, who set up the petition and whose son Reggie Wall had attended the nursery, said: “I’m still quite shocked I’ve got that many signatures on the petition.

"But maybe we’re fighting a losing battle. Is the nursery really going to reopen?” 

She is still struggling to find a new nursery for Reggie, who was born in April 2020, only weeks after England went into lockdown.   

“Most of the children it’s affecting are Covid babies who haven’t had a chance to develop their social skills," Ms Green said. 

Norfolk County Council said its Family Information Service is on hand to help parents find alternative education for their children after the House of Fun Nursery closed. 

Mike-Smith Clare, Labour spokesperson for education at Norfolk County Council. (Image: Labour Party)

Mike Smith-Clare, Labour spokesperson for education at Norfolk County Council, said: “This closure will have a huge impact on the lives of local families and the developmental upbringing of their young children. 

“It’s a crying shame that local communities are still suffering from the unnecessary closure of essential Children’s Centres, which offered this valued provision.  

“Yet again it shows how illogical Tory cuts always come back to haunt them - and more importantly the residents they claim to help,” he added.  

Parents can visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/familyinformationservice