A NURSERY in Bracknell has closed its doors for good today to make way for a new housing development.

The College Nursery in Coopers Hill Centre, Crowthorne Road, Bracknell, has permanently closed today (Friday, July 16).

The 'Good' Ofsted rated nursery was registered to take children from the ages of two-year's-old.READ MORE: Bracknell best GP's to get through to on the phone revealed in GP Patient Survey 2021

Activate Learning took on the temporary lease of The College Nursery in 2019 in partnership with Bracknell and Wokingham College.

Peter Reynolds, Director at Activate Learning Bracknell, said: “Due to proposed redevelopment of the site, the council have worked with us to try and find an alternative location for a nursery in the town.

“Regrettably, despite great efforts from both ourselves and the council, we have not been able to find a viable alternative location. Parents of children at the nursery were given advanced notice to help them find alternative childcare arrangements.  

“We would like to thank all the staff that have worked so hard to deliver outstanding care to the young children that attended the nursery, as well as all the many parents who have supported us over the years."

Mr Reynold's said parents can contact the family information service to find alternative nurseries. 

Adding: “Both Activate Learning and Bracknell Forest Council remain committed to supporting staff, where possible, to find alternative employment in the sector."

Bracknell residents have already shown their appreciation for the nursery, praising Julie and her team for working "tirelessly throughout the years".

A post from a parent on Bracknell's largest Facebook Group said: "Please can we take a moment to show our appreciation with a virtual clap for the wonderful Nursery Teachers of Bracknell College Nursery. They have worked tirelessly throughout the years and sadly as some of you may or may not know the College Nursery is closing down for the redevelopment of Cooper’s Hill.

It will be a huge loss to the community and has served many of Bracknell’s residents and their children throughout the years.

"Ladies, from the bottom of my heart (as you know I am absolutely gutted) I thank you for everything you have done for both my girls. They are where they are today because of you!"

Back in March, The News reported how a planning application had been submitted by Bracknell Forest Council and developers Countryside, for 52 new homes to be built at the site of Coopers Hill Community Centre on Crowthorne Road.

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A dozen of the homes will be two-bedroom flats, six will be three-bedroom flats, 22 will be two-bedroom houses and another dozen will be three-bedroom houses.

The redevelopment of Coopers Hill marks the first step of the next phase of the town’s regeneration following the building of the new Lexicon shopping centre.

A public consultation on the plans for Coopers Hill was held in December 2020 which asked current users of the site community centre and other groups for their thoughts on the plans.

It is expected that many of these groups will move their activities to Time Square -- the council’s offices -- once the redevelopment project gets underway.