Paradise Park Children’s Centre Nursery will close its doors at the end of the summer term following a sudden financial crisis at the Islington Play Association (IPA). Islington Council confirmed the decision after the independent charity, which is commissioned to run several local childcare and play services, informed the local authority of significant funding challenges.
The council expressed “extreme disappointment” regarding the charity’s management of the situation. Officials stated that the lack of clear communication from the IPA has caused unnecessary anxiety for parents and carers who rely on the nursery for daily childcare, at a time when wider support for residents remains a key local concern. Despite repeated requests for a formal plan of action and a strategy for parent communication, the council reported that no satisfactory response was provided by the charity’s trustees.
Paradise Park nursery closure and summer term timeline
The nursery provision at Paradise Park Children’s Centre is scheduled to cease operations at the end of the current summer term. This timeline was reluctantly accepted by the council to prevent an immediate collapse of services, though officials maintained that they had hoped to avoid any closure. The primary focus for the remaining weeks of the term is the wellbeing of the children currently enrolled.
Islington Council has already begun the process of reaching out to all families affected by the closure. Education officials confirmed that the borough currently maintains sufficient childcare capacity in other nurseries and local schools to accommodate the children displaced by the Paradise Park announcement. Staff are being deployed to assist parents in navigating the transition to alternative providers.
Securing the future of four Islington adventure playgrounds
While the nursery faces closure, the council has moved rapidly to protect the borough’s renowned adventure playgrounds. The IPA previously held contracts to run four key sites: Lumpy Hill, Martin Luther King, Timbuktu, and the Crumbles Castle adventure playground.
To prevent these vital community assets from closing alongside the nursery, the council has stepped in to secure their continued operation. These playgrounds are a cornerstone of Islington’s commitment to outdoor play and social development. By decoupling the playgrounds from the IPA’s immediate financial distress, the local authority aims to minimize the impact on the hundreds of local children who use these facilities weekly. Specific details regarding the long-term management of these sites will be released as soon as the transition arrangements are finalized.
Support for families and alternative childcare options
Families directly impacted by the changes at Paradise Park or the adventure playgrounds can access dedicated support through the Family Information Service (FIS). The council has established a direct line of communication to help parents find childcare that suits their specific needs, including proximity to home and specialized support requirements.
Parents can contact the Family Information Service via the official website at islington.gov.uk/FIS or by calling 020 7527 5959. Council staff are available to provide clarity on available places in nearby schools and private voluntary nurseries that have confirmed vacancies for the upcoming term.
Bright Start services and building access at Paradise Park
Despite the nursery closure, the Paradise Park Children’s Centre building itself will remain a hub for community health and early years support. The facility will continue to host Bright Start universal services, which are essential for new parents and young families in the area.
These ongoing services include:
* Stay and play sessions for toddlers and infants.
* Antenatal and post-natal health clinics.
* Midwifery appointments and health visitor consultations.
The council’s intervention ensures that while the specific nursery provision is ending, the broader health and developmental support network provided at the centre remains intact. Officials are working to provide further clarity for parents and carers as the transition progresses through the summer months.
Source: Islington Council
Source check Official Statement Trace
This report is based on an official media statement issued by Islington Council regarding its contract with the Islington Play Association.
- Verified nursery closure timeline for summer 2026
- Confirmed contact details for Family Information Service
- Cross-referenced status of adventure playground sites
- Source
- Islington Council Media
- Scope
- Islington
- Updated
- 2026-05-26 15:25
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