THE FUTURE of a Poole nursery is in jeopardy after Borough of Poole asked staff to move out with no alternative offered.

Blue Dragon Club, which provides pre-school, nursery, after-school and holiday club care, based in Old Town Children’s Centre, on Green Road, has been told that its lease will not be renewed in October.

Now staff and parents are looking for an alternative site to re-locate to or the Blue Dragon Club will close after 14 years.

Hayley House from the club said: “We have found the perfect new site where we can continue our work, which is close to Old Town Infant School, so that we can still provide the wrap-around care that the parents really need. Unfortunately, the lease is far more than we can afford.

“We are looking for someone to finance, re-locate and expand our current setting.”

Toni Desmier, mum of Carter, three, and Noah, six, said: “This is like home for the children, they love to be here, and the staff feel like family. These staff are the people I have trusted since my children were two. I don’t want to send them elsewhere.”

Claire Pantling, mum to Lorcan, three, and Scarlett, two, said: “It means an awful lot for my kids to be able to come here. My son has always been happy here and the staff have been fantastic working with his speech and language difficulties. I’m really upset that it’s having to close.”

Vicky Wales, head of children, young people and learning at Borough of Poole, said: “The local authority had informed the club at a very early stage that they would need to vacate the premises as the lease would not be renewed.

“The future use of the premises is currently under review in line with local childcare sufficiency and Children’s Centre service delivery needs in the area.”

She said that for help on finding alternative childcare, parents can call the Family Information Service on 01202 261999.