A nursery based at children’s charity Coram’s central London site is now likely to move following an increase in rent.
Thomas Coram Nursery, named after Coram’s founder, said in 2023 that the charity had proposed doubling its rent to more than £240,000, which it was unable to afford, while reducing the space it uses.
At the time, Camden council said it was speaking to the charity and advocating on the nursery’s behalf to find a solution.
But now, the nursery’s governors have “reluctantly” agreed to consider moving to a new site at the nearby Argyle Primary School in September 2028 and a feasibility study has taken place.
A message to parents, seen by Civil Society, reads: “With deep sadness we now face leaving our beautiful purpose-built home on the Coram campus, which has been enjoyed by many generations of children, families, and staff.
“This is not a choice we wanted to make and have fought very hard for this not to happen.”
Camden council published a tender this month for an architect-led consultancy service to develop a design of the new co-located site.
Councillor Marcus Boyland said the local authority would take a final decision after the nursery and primary school had consulted parents and carers in the autumn.
“This plan would give it a new permanent home just six minutes’ walk from its current site – keeping it accessible for parents and children in the local community,” he said.
“To support this potential move, the council would invest in significant refurbishments at the Argyle school site which would benefit all of the children attending the nursery and school – along with the staff working hard every day to give each child the best education.
“The proposed changes include dedicated play areas, refreshed outdoor spaces and building improvements and, if agreed, we would expect building work would begin at the end of 2027.”
A spokesperson for Coram said the nursery, which has operated in its present form at the site since 1998, currently pays less than half the rent of its own charitable services.
“Coram has put forward a range of options to Camden [council] – all on discounted rental levels – to secure certainty for the nursery on the Coram site.
“Coram has only ever looked for recognition of the impact of inflation on the charity and for a proper legal agreement to be in place in line with the duties it has in respect of property under charity law.
“Coram has in good faith not advanced any other plans and made no changes to the nursery position. Ultimately, decisions as to location of nursery provision in the borough are a matter for Camden.”
Another charity transfers to Coram
Separately, an organisation supporting children and young people with high learning potential has transferred all its services to Coram, following several mergers in recent years into the major charity.
Established in 1967 as the National Association for Gifted Children, Potential Plus UK’s services include specialist assessments and reports, parent and professional consultancy, and resources designed to empower parents to advocate for their child’s needs.
Part-time chief executive Olivia Smith said she would continue her separate teaching role following the transfer while also completing the final part of an MBA.
“We are delighted that Coram is welcoming our community into its family, securing and improving upon this specialist support for the future and helping it reach even more children and families,” she said.
Potential Plus UK recorded an income of £313,000 and expenditure of £441,000 in the year to April 2025 and employed eight members of staff.
Coram – which has taken over other charities including Kidscape, Parentline Plus and Leap Confronting Conflict in recent years – recorded an income and expenditure of £27.6m in the year to March 2025.
