Nursery class has no heating - LEA won't pay - any advice? (long sorry)

[mrsflowerpot]

DS started in the nursery class at the local primary in September, and we've just been told today that if it's cold on Monday, they will be shut as they have no heating. Apparently they had a gas leak over the summer, there is some problem with the pipe and it needs replacing and there is no money for this. So in the winter, if they can't keep the indoor temperature above 60F, they will be shut.

The teacher has asked us all to write to the LEA, which of course I am doing, but I could do with knowing if the LEA has a duty to guarantee these sessions to the children (they are all in the rising 4 year where they are supposed to be entitled to the 5 sessions).

Also, I wondered what the situation with heaters was - they have some fan heaters which they can't have on when the children are there, but I wondered if those stand-alone electric radiators would pose a Health and Safety problem (only thought of this this evening, so haven't asked the teacher yet). DH and I would gladly donate some of these to avoid ds losing out.

I am so cross about this - we gave up a place at another pre-school to put him in the school nursery because we want him to go into Reception there. And he's settled so well and is so happy - in the winter he could miss weeks and weeks as I just don't see how they could keep it open.

Does anyone know where we stand on any of this?