Queens Road Methodist Church Pre-school has announced it is to close after serving the community for more than half a century.
The Queens Road Methodist Church
Keynsham Methodist Church has two centres, Victoria on the High Street and at Queens Road.
The Rev John Carne, retired former minister, said in a statement posted on Keynsham Methodist Church’s website and Facebook page: “It is with deep sorrow that we must share the incredibly difficult news that Queens Road Methodist Pre-school will be closing at the end of this academic year.
“Our managing trustees recognised that families’ needs for early years provision have now changed, with many seeking care from breakfast through to early evening and for children from nine months upwards.
“Queens Road is not in a position to offer this, and numbers have been consistently falling, with many children now attending other settings, particularly those at our local schools.
“Members of the church are working with our dedicated staff and families to ensure that the children continue to receive good provision for the rest of this term and that staff and families are supported when seeking other roles and settings.
“We are grateful that over the last 50-plus years the mission has been accomplished.”
The pre-school was rated Good at its last inspection in 2023.
The announcement has met with sadness on social media.
Comments include: “Really sad news, all three of my children went to playschool it was called then. They are aged 50, 48 and 44 now.
“They all enjoyed going there and was a great start to their full-time school days. A big loss to the local community.”
Another said: “Such a wonderful pre-school and amazing people that work there. Loved my children going there. So sad to hear this, it will be a great loss to Keynsham families.”
