Published on Friday 23 May 2025
The popular and successful Mudeford Wood Playgroup, which provides a preschool education for around 70 local children, is working with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council to relocate to the former Highcliffe Day Centre from September.
The future of the playgroup has been uncertain since they were recently given notice to vacate Mudeford Wood Community Centre, where they have been based for over 30 years.
Now, part of the ground floor of the BCP-owned day centre in Lymington Road, Highcliffe - which closed during the Covid pandemic – is set to be reopened to accommodate the playgroup and ensure it can carry on its much-valued childcare provision.
Playgroup manager, Emily Hernon said: “We are incredibly happy and very relieved to have found a new home in Highcliffe thanks to BCP Council. Our priority has always been to provide high-quality, affordable early years education for the children of our community, and we are thrilled that this new location will enable us to continue to do so.
“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, which has boosted staff morale and strengthened our determination to find a way forward.
Emily added: “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.”
The building boasts ample space for over 70 children, a dedicated grass area and parking. It is also situated just two miles, approximately a six-minute drive, from the existing Mudeford site, helping to minimise the distance families need to travel.
Councillor Andy Martin, Portfolio Holder for Customer, Communications and Culture at BCP Council, said: "We are very pleased to have found a suitable alternative site for Mudeford Wood Preschool, ensuring their services continue without major impact to families. Highcliffe is delighted to welcome the playgroup with open arms.
“The Council and the preschool share an overwhelming commitment to children and young people, and this fantastic site will ensure they have the necessary facilities at their disposal to provide children with the best possible start in life.”
He continued: “Council officers have been pulling out all the stops to get the day centre open again and arranging an initial lease. I would especially like to thank the Chief Executive, who has been personally involved in all the efforts to secure the playgroup’s future.”
Councillor 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."
The playgroup leaders and parents made public representations to BCP’s Cabinet in April.
BCP Council has also been looking at options to bring the whole building back into use after a review last year concluded it was no longer needed for adult social care provision.
Mudeford Wood Preschool will have an initial one-year lease to operate from the building. The lease depends on further site investigations and the outcome of ongoing work to establish the options for the co-location of other education provision, as well as mandatory conditions from BCP Council’s Property and Education regarding building safety and suitability.