PARENTS campaigning to keep a Halesowen nursery open have been backed by MP Margot James who says the service is ‘absolutely vital’.

The News’ front page last week reported on the unhappiness of parents and local councillors over plans to close Little Colliers Day Nursery in Colley Gate.

The proposals are being advocated by the school associated with the nursery, neighbouring Colley Gate Primary Academy, also in Colley Lane.

Windsor Academy Trust, which runs the primary school, said consultation feedback will be considered before a final decision is made on November 7.

Stourbridge MP Ms James, whose constituency covers the Colley Gate patch, said she hopes the Trust will take the fierce opposition to the plans into account.

Ms James said: “I’m very keen for the nursery to stay open. I’m cautiously confident that could happen.

“I’ve had a reasonably encouraging conversation with the chief executive of the trust and I am hoping to visit the school in the next few days.

“I really feel that early years’ provision is absolutely vital and I feel we have lost enough of it across my constituency already.

“So I am extremely concerned about yet another closure or reduction in services.

“I do understand that schools are facing financial difficulties and that these decisions are never easy.

“But I do hope that there is a way of getting the nursery on a more solid, sustainable footing so that it can continue to operate for parents in the area.”

Money issues – including an estimated £20,000 deficit for the current financial year – are believed to be the reasons behind the closure plans.

But parents opposing the closure have put together a business plan to keep it open and Ms James welcomed their pro-active efforts.

She added: “The parents who came to see me last week were trying to be constructive and I was very impressed by their approach.

“From what I’ve been told, the nursery has turned a corner and it would be such a shame to see it closed.

“I am encouraged by the proactive suggestions of parents and that no decision has yet been made.

“I understand people can be cynical about consultation periods but I don’t feel this is a fait accompli and I believe the trust is listening to other routes forward.”