Why is the wonderful Mr Squirrel's Nursery closing?

[trinitymum]

We are devastated to hear that Mr Squirrel's nursery in Trinity, Edinburgh, is considering closure because it can no longer compete with the big commercial nurseries that are being required to open for long hours to help pressurised parents meet the needs of their employers. Mr Squirrels is a wonderful community nursery that has being going strong for 21 years. The children are encouraged in their development and preparation for going to school through so many stimulating activities. The staff are gentle and kind. The nursery is a gorgeous little house within Bernadette's garden. How many nurseries provide home baking for snack? How many nurseries really are a home from home? We, as a comminity, should be trying and keep nurseries like Mr Squirrels open.

I am a full time working mum and I want my son Max to go to a nursery with the highest rating in every area (Care Commission gave Mr Squirrels its highest rating). I don't want Max to go to a nursery which is "satisfactory". We need to be investing in our children's future and if we are required to work full time surely we should be able to send our kids to nurseries where profit is not the main aim.

Please go and see Mr Squirrel's Nursery before its too late. Don't let this amazing place get lost in our commercial world.

I strongly disagree, I was glad to hear this hell hole has been struggling. Now 23, I am remember a horrific day my brother and I were plunged into this terrifying abyss. We were expecting fairy cakes and singalongs, but instead we were subjected to memories that haunt us to this day. My big brother (aged 4 and a half at the time) put on a brave face and held me close as we were forced in we hugged the walls desperately trying to keep distance from a weird lady greeting us. She hurried us into a dark back room with a shadowed window looking out to a murky grey-green garden. As the sickening witch lady hassled my brother into doing some menial task, I was fixed on the unearthly, odd smell. Was it the smell of a witches den? What kind of monstrous creature was Mr Squirrel?..We were finally left alone for a while and we realised there were other poor children, but they were already beyond saving. If we stayed very still they couldn't see us, they were like peculiar, bowl-cut zombies. We managed to edge out to the cold fresh air, the only escape. There was a crappy swing out there, one that made my poor brother feel ill. Brothers united, we fought for our lives for what felt like years. Then suddenly everyone was rushed away as if Mr Squirrel had arrived home angry. We were squeezed into a new, mildly lit, nicer room that we hadn't been in before. The zombie kids were fixed up, and a strong handed witch lady shifted us into position for a photo for which there were no smiles.
All in all, a TERRIBLE experience. I would not recommend going there, let the commercial world eat it alive. Maybe read this review to your kids if they are thinking about going. Fingers crossed no more generations will be scarred by this place.
Ps. I hope Max is not beyond saving