Workplace nursery is closing - Save Our Nursery campaign advice needed

[BadHair]

Hi - I work at a University which has thoughtfully decided to move its on-campus nursery to a much smaller site across town. The new site is part of a newly acquired off-shoot campus that is home to a whopping 5% of the student population and even less staff. It's in an area that's difficult to access with no direct bus route between campuses, other than a University-run minibus that does not contain child seats.

There are many more grounds on which to complain, but I wondered if anyone out there has any experience of running a campaign to keep a nursery (or school) open, and any advice to offer.

All thoughts gratefully received.

Is the nursery managed independently or is there a management structure that includes staff representatives? I'd have thought, given it is a university, the committee structure and the staff unions (clearly this is a staffing issues) would be a good place to cook up a campaign...?

Thank you Monkeybun - it is managed by University staff. We've tried the union but with no joy and we're now thinking about lobbying the Deans.
Has anyone else got any experience of this?

Talk to your local media also.

Right - the worst that can happen is they close the nursery altogether. As it's new location will make it impossible for many of you to use - that's not much of a threat to hold over your heads. So - go all out - somebody has already mentioned the media - contact papers and tv. Get in touch with your MP and with local councillors. Have you spoken to the Students Union? Do students use it? If so they should really get on side with you - speak to whoever they have in charge of student welfare and/or womens issues. Lobby the deans - get publicity for that - take your sad children along. Ask what they're going to do with the old site anyway - that will be evry ineteresting! Fight the good fight