BCP Council to relocate Mudeford Wood Preschool
A part of the ground floor of the BCP council-owned day centre on Lymington Road, Highcliffe will be reopened to accommodate the school
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council is in the process of relocating Mudeford Wood Playgroup, which provides a preschool education for around 70 local children, to the former Highcliffe Day Centre in time for September.
News of the relocation comes after the school was recently given notice to vacate Mudeford Wood Community Centre, where it has been based for over 30 years.
A part of the ground floor of the BCP council-owned day centre on Lymington Road, Highcliffe – which closed during the Covid pandemic – will be reopened to accommodate the school.
This facility offers substantial space for more than 70 children, along with a designated grass area and parking. Conveniently located just two miles from the current Mudeford site—roughly a six-minute drive—it will help keep travel distances manageable for families.
Emily Hernon, manager of Mudeford Wood Playgroup, said: “The past few months have been incredibly stressful for everyone, our parents have been worried sick that their children would not have a future with us, and our skilled staff have faced uncertainty. We would like to thank all our wonderful preschool families for their patience and unwavering support.
“We are extremely grateful to BCP Council officers, the Council’s chief executive Graham Farrant, the local councillors in Highcliffe and the BCP Education team for supporting us through this very difficult period when we really feared we might have to close for good. We are looking forward to a bright future.”
Cllr Richard Burton, portfolio holder for children and young people at BCP Council, added: “I’m so pleased that the council has been able to secure a future for the preschool and ensure continuity for the children and families who rely on this brilliant provision.
“The care and early learning Mudeford Wood Preschool provides is incredibly valuable, and we hope this move to Highcliffe grants them even more opportunity to further develop their service. It reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting all children across our communities.”
In April, playgroup leaders and parents addressed the BCP Cabinet publicly. This followed a BCP Council review last year that determined the building was no longer required for adult social care, prompting the council to explore options for its full reuse.
Mudeford Wood Preschool will initially have a one-year lease to operate in the building, contingent upon the results of further site investigations and the progress of work exploring options for co-locating other educational facilities. It is also subject to mandatory conditions from BCP Council’s Property and Education departments concerning building safety and suitability.