Labour group challenges decision to close Exeter crèche

Compass House crèche in St Leonard’s in Exeter, which offers on-site child care for those attending the Depression and Anxiety Service sessions, is in renewed danger of being closed. 

A public campaign has saved it before, in November 2015, but after a further consultation exercise Devon County Council has again proposed its closure. 

However, the Labour Group of county councillors has ‘called in’ the decision on the grounds that it fails to take sufficient account of the fact that women suffering from post-natal depression, the main users of the crèche, are often in need of on-site care for their children given the nature of their condition. 

An example of this provision is already available elsewhere in Exeter at Chestnut Children’s Centre where Depression and Anxiety Service sessions are run alongside childcare.

Andy Hannan, Labour County Councillor for Priory & St Leonard’s, has said, “Mothers with post-natal depression are often in a high state of anxiety about their children, particularly those newly born. 

"They require on-site child care provided alongside their treatment by staff with experience of their needs and those of their children. 

"In the past the crèche has also offered such mothers ‘time out’ child care outside of their treatment sessions as part of their recovery therapy. 

"The county council has reduced the scope of the provision offered so that the number of children catered for is now below what is considered to be financially viable.”

This ‘call-in’ will be considered by the People’s Scrutiny Committee at its meeting at 2 pm on 5 September, reporting back as necessary to the meeting of Cabinet at 10.30 am on 14 September.

Members of the public are welcome to attend both of these meetings, which will take place at County Hall in Topsham Road, Exeter.