Telford college bosses have defended a decision to axe its nursery facility despite a petition signed by nearly 300 staff and parents.
Sticky Fingers nursery at Telford College of Art and Technology will be shut down in August due to budget cutbacks.
Seven staff will be out of a job and more than 30 children will no longer get care at TCAT while their parents are in education at the Wellington campus.
Janet Ellis, TCAT principal, confirmed she had received the petition along with several letters and emails from parents and staff.
But Mrs Ellis said “financial pressures” meant there was no way the on site nursery could stay open. She said alternative childcare would be offered in the town centre at no extra cost.
“There are 30 who have childcare on the campus but there are nearly 90 students who receive child care at external facilities,” she said.
“Students are clearly voting with their feet because 90 are going off campus rather than using our facilities. It has been a difficult decision made solely because of the financial challenges facing us.
“I can fully appreciate it is difficult for parents – with 30 children and seven staff they will have been receiving an excellent level of care.
“But the nursery has been under-occupied for four years. The only difference is that we were not facing the same financial pressures we are now.”
Karen Hughes, a student who began the petition, said she hoped college bosses would change their minds.
The 30-year-old, from Madeley, said children and parents were upset by the closure.
“I have sent a long letter of complaint to them saying how it’s going to affect me and how valuable the nursery is,” said Miss Hughes.
“A lot of parents have come into the nursery crying. They have been very upset about it, we are all on the same side with this.
“I am just trying to encourage them to think again.”
The college has said that anyone concerned about the nursery closure can contact student services on 01952 642295.