University to close creche to save money

The St Mary's Childcare Centre opened in 1990 and has been a 'cornerstone' of the university, staff said.

A university has announced it will close a creche used by the children of staff and students.

The University of Sunderland said St Mary's Childcare Centre would be closed in July 2025 as part of wide-ranging cuts.

One staff member, who asked to remain anonymous, said the closure raised "serious questions" about the institution's commitment to working mums and student parents, as they were the people most likely to be affected.

The university it was a "difficult decision", and that it would work "closely with all those affected to ensure a smooth transition for the children".

The staff member, who has a child at St Mary's, said the facility had been a "cornerstone" of the university since it opened in 1990.

"The fact you could drop your child for a couple of hours and then attend a lecture while you're only two minutes away from them... it was a massive help," he said.

The centre played a crucial role - enabling access to higher education for mothers and fathers who are working at the university or studying, he added.

"This decision could exacerbate gender inequalities within both the university's workforce and student body," he said.

The University of Sunderland said it had spent £250,000 to subsidise the facility in the last academic year.

"It has become clear that the university cannot continue to operate the nursery in a financially sustainable manner," a spokesperson said.

They added that the all staff and parents had been "reassured" the facility will operate until its closure date next year.