An award-winning outdoor nursery set up by two ex-primary school teachers will close this summer.
Dandelion Education has announced that its Aylsham nursery branch will close on July 19 after 10 years in business.
Managing directors Hayley Room and Emma Harwood said that the nursery setting, which achieved multiple awards and accolades over the years including Nursery of the Year in 2017 and two outstanding Ofsted ratings, is no longer financially viable.
Ms Room said: "We have always adapted to meet both business needs and the demands of a hugely underfunded and undervalued sector.
"Sadly, due to our exceptional adult to child ratios of one adult to two two-year-olds and the poor two-year-old funding rate, the setting will run at a deficit that can no longer be bridged."
READ MORE: Historic village pub reopens after £300k refurbishment
Ms Harwood added: "The government funding for two-year-olds is £7.09, per hour per two-year-old.
"Children deserve and need high-quality interactions and learning, so we keep our ratios at a level that ensures this.
"We actively voiced our opposition to the new government ratio for two-year-olds, which is now one adult to five two-year-olds - this new ratio is simply battery farming for children, and it will not allow children to develop the high-level skills they need to thrive and develop to their highest potential".
READ MORE: Town centre toyshop hopeful for half term trade boost
Founded in 2013, Dandelion Education's ethos and innovative approach have made it a well-known provider across the county and nation.
The company's nursery sites in Eaton and Wymondham will continue to operate, along with their Den days for "home-ed and flexi-educated children" and their two The Patch sites for school-aged children struggling to access mainstream schools full-time.
Spaces at Wymondham and Eaton have been offered to Aylsham families and staff have been offered redeployment.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here