BENFLEET parents may be forced to send their children to nurseries outside the borough because a school is evicting a popular nursery from its grounds.

Sunshine Day Nursery, based in the grounds of Appleton School in Benfleet, has told parents it is closing on Friday, August 28.

The Echo understands the school, in Croft Lane, has decided not to renew the nursery’s lease.

Claire Hills, 37, of Rosemead, Benfleet said: “My son is 11 months old and has only attended Sunshine since June.

“In that short time, hehas made awonderful bond with all the staff and gets excited when we drive up each day.

“The care and education the team at Sunshine provide are outstanding.

To find a nursery like that, close to home, was a godsend.

“My alternative now is to take him to a nursery inBasildon.

“While I’m more than happy with the staff and set-up there, the distance is going to be extremely difficult to manage.

“To drop my youngest off at nursery and then get back to Benfleet in time for school for my eldest son is not something I’m relishing.

“My understanding is Appleton School has givenno reason for the eviction and has offered no help with alternative premises.

“For an educational establishment it has shown no consideration for the continued education of our under-fives.”

Georgia May’s partially-sighted son, TeddyBrewer, has been at the nursery since September.

Miss May, 19, of Raymonds Drive, Benfleet said: “He found it very hard to settle in at the nursery.

“But within the past few months, hehas got used to the surroundings and staff – just as the nursery is closing, which is very sad news. It's going to be very hard for him to settle into a new nursery without becoming distressed and having to make new friends and get used to newsurroundings.

“Sunshine Day Nursery is a wonderful nursery with lovely staff, who have helped my son to feel welcome.

“They also adapted the nursery to meet his needs. Now, it’s going to be a struggle to find a nursery for him to start at in September.

“I don’t like having see him distressed by having to deal with a new change of environment.”

Benfleet has two other nurseries and two pre-schools for two to four-year-olds, but they are all the other side of Benfleet.

The Echo contacted Appleton School for a comment, but it did not respond.