ANGRY parents have stepped up their campaign calling on Croydon Council to reconsider its decision to stop funding one of the borough's best nurseries.

Earlier this year, the Advertiser revealed the council would no longer support St Mary's Family Centre with an annual £48,500 grant – more than two-thirds of the money needed to run the not-for-profit operation.

St Mary's – which boasts three consecutive "outstanding" Ofsted reports and takes a mix of kids with and without personal problems – is now facing having to provide a massively reduced service in September, as well as job losses.

Jo Clayton, who wants to send her two-year-old daughter Io to the nursery in Central Hill, Upper Norwood, this September, said: "Croydon Council should be celebrating the fact they have a centre of excellence, rather than withdrawing funding."

Jude Hellon, who has observed the excellent work at St Mary's through her eldest daughter Edie, 4, said: "The council is crazy to have cut funding – it's not like they've got that many outstanding nurseries to shout about."

However, Tim Pollard, cabinet member for children, young people and learners, insists the decision to stop funding was because other services in the borough can do the job in its place.

He said: "We have seen family and children's centres opening right across the borough that provide the same service."

From September, the nursery will be able to run only during term time, with its hours being cut from 9am until 5pm to 9am until noon.

Moreover, parents will have to fork out almost double the cost to send their children there.