Recruitment issues have forced an outstanding nursery to close its doors for good.

Kids Will Be Kids in Hartfield Avenue, Elstree said its last day will be on Wednesday, April 5.

Its owner, Beverley Klein, said it has not been an easy decision to close the nursery.

She said: “The plan was to stay open for two more years until retirement, but regretfully, due to not being able to recruit staff, we are having to close.”

Ms Klein has outlined a number of issues affecting employment.  

Borehamwood Times: Beverley said: It has been a privilege to have watched all the young children develop.Beverley said: It has been a privilege to have watched all the young children develop. (Image: Kids Will be Kids)

She said: “Childcare is an underrated skill. Working in childcare is not about just playing with children.

“Salaries offered are extremely low and the expectations extremely high.”

She added that qualification courses are becoming more difficult which is also having an impact.

“The requirement for a GCSE A-C in maths and English has proved a difficult step for some,” she said.

In addition to recruitment issues, the nursery itself is incurring more costs for internal training that have also increased since the pandemic.

Ms Klein said: “It is not generally known just how much training, qualifications, planning and thought is put into the care of babies and toddlers in an early years childcare setting.

“We need to keep up to date with all relevant legislation and guidelines, as well as attending courses, which are expensive.”

Having been open for 15 years, caring for children aged nine months to three years, Ms Klein was inundated with supportive comments when she announced that the nursery would be closing.  

On Facebook, one person said: “Everyone I have ever known have loved you and your amazing team for your hard work and dedication, and compassion to the kids.”

And another said: “The care you gave to our two was absolutely outstanding and we will always be so grateful to you all for all the love and care you showed to them.”

Ms Klein added: “We truly feel that we are in integral part of the local community and it has been a privilege to have watched all the young children develop and progress from a very early age at Kids Will Be Kids.”