Shining Stars Nursery Seeks New Home After Eviction Notice

The owner of a nursery has stated that the establishment is engaged in a “race against time” to secure a new location after receiving an eviction notice from its current site. Shining Stars, a facility that offers care for 70 preschool-aged children, operates from St Helen’s Primary Academy, situated in Monk Bretton, Barnsley. However, the academy has requested that the nursery vacate the premises by March, explaining that the building is required to establish additional Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) facilities. Amanda Goodyear, the business owner, commented: “Closing the nursery would be devastating for the community, people rely on us so much.” Ms Goodyear indicated that a prospective new location had been identified at Carlton Industrial Estate. Nevertheless, Barnsley Council expressed reservations, cautioning that it might not approve planning permission for the site’s use as a nursery due to safety considerations. She stated, “I’ve been driving up and down every street round here praying we find somewhere.” “The council offered us sites in Wombwell and Jump, but that is too far for our parents.” She further explained, “Many of them don’t drive, many of our families rely on food banks.” According to the nursery’s manager, a new location must be secured by Christmas to ensure it can be prepared for the relocation and receive Ofsted approval in time. Harrison Day, whose three-year-old son Preston and two-year-old daughter Ellis attend the nursery, shared his concerns. He expressed his devastation upon learning that the facility might close. He remarked, “Me and my partner are already sitting up at night worried about what will happen.” “It’s like a family here. They treat the children like their own,” he added. Elaine Micklethwaite, whose granddaughter also attends the nursery, characterized it as a “close-knit community.” She stated, “People are struggling. Mums need to work, they need a nursery to rely on, on their doorstep, that’s not too much to ask.” Ms Goodyear mentioned that she had “pleaded” with the council to permit the nursery’s relocation to the industrial estate site and had submitted a planning application for the building’s conversion. She asserted, “We’ve answered all the concerns about safety, parking, dust and noise.” “All we ask is that they come down and look at the site in person, work with us, let’s make this work together,” she urged. However, Councillor Robin Franklin, the cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, indicated that planners held concerns regarding the proposed location. He explained, “We have concerns about the risks of existing businesses that operate HGVs and other commercial vehicles in close proximity to a nursery.” “This has the potential to introduce significant safety issues when picking up and dropping off children,“ he added. He concluded, “We empathise with the operators of Shining Stars Nursery, and our teams are committed to working proactively with them to find a venue that is safe and suitable.”