Promising future for St Agnes' Day Nursery.

I am delighted by the news that St. Agnes' Day Nursery has succeeded in finding a new site at the Braintree and Bocking Recreation Ground.

Many local residents will have been aware of the plan to close St. Agnes' nursery next year when the building which houses it is sold. But the nursery, which has been popular for 40 years, is currently seeking planning permission at the new site and I am optimistic about a successful outcome.

We should all acknowledge the hard work of all those who have been involved in the continuation of nursery provision by St. Agnes' - parents, teachers, Governors and Braintree District Council.

However, this single success story does highlight a wider problem which our community faces. Many children in the area will be without proper nursery provision as waiting lists for existing places continue to grow. St Agnes' has a waiting list of over 100 children which runs up until 2007.

At a time when the Government is placing greater pressures on our community by requiring new housing developments it is important that we receive more investment in public services and infrastructure. Instead of this, I have heard worrying reports that other nurseries in our area may be closing or amalgamating.

I call on both local and central government to help address the shortfall in nursery school provision in our area. Working parents and mothers who choose to stay at home should be able to ensure that their children get the best possible start in life."