Falling numbers threaten nursery’s future
HARINGEY’S ONLY Jewish pre-school faces an uncertain future because of falling pupil numbers.
Yeladenu, based at Muswell Hill Synagogue and ranked outstanding by Ofsted, currently has 19 children, a drop of five during the pandemic.
For the next academic year, only 13 children are currently enrolled. Three staff members are set to be furloughed.
Co-founder and manager Helen Styles was unsure if the fall in numbers was “because of the pandemic or demographics”.
The pre-school has raised the £25,000 it needs for the short term, with £15,000 pledged and a donor
committing to match donations up to £10,000.
And Yeladenu mums are set to embark on a 100-kilometre bike ride to Brighton to raise additional funds.
“All the dads will be waiting for us at the other end and when we get there it’s fish and chips,” Ms Styles said. She also thanked Ian Gray, owner of a local bike shop, for helping the cyclists prepare for the ride.
Although parents had been “incredible”, backing had also come from people with no ties to Yeladenu.
“We’ve got the support we need. We just need those actual little tots to come in,” Ms Styles added.
Among the cyclists will be Naomi Jankelewitz, who warned: “If this nursery does close, it’s going to be a massive loss.
“It’s important to get the young families involved — otherwise, the community becomes older.
“At the moment it’s young and vibrant but a lot of those kids have come up from Yeladenu. It’s a great basis for Jewish learning.”