Affordable childcare in City of London back under threat, as staff and parents stage protest

When: Tuesday 30th June 2026 from 1pm

Where: Guildhall, Gresham Steet, London

The Aldgate School Children's Centre - the only affordable early years provision in the City of London - is yet again under threat of closure.

GMB Union, which represents the centre's staff, has been campaigning for the last two years to keep the service open and its survival was secured until August 2027.

However, the long-term future of the service is to be decided at the next meeting of the Community & Children Service's Committee on the 30th June.

GMB has organised a protest against closure before the committee meeting, while parents have organised a petition which has gained nearly 1,000 signatures.

A GMB member who has worked at the school for over 15 years said:

"It's so unsettling for us and the parents not knowing what is going to happen.

"Parents rely on the childcare so they can work and we have developed close relationships with families as their children have all come here.

"We don't just provide childcare, we provide support for families."

Anna Lee, GMB Regional Officer, said:

"The City of London Corporation have been hoping that the outcry on this issue would just go away over time, but they have not been able to provide any feasible alternatives which would provide affordable childcare for working parents.

"The City needs to confirm the £60,000 funding required to keep the service going.

"This is peanuts to one of the wealthiest local authorities in the country, but means everything to the staff, parents, and children who are part of this wonderful service."