Nursery finds new temporary home after sewage flooding

Sewage poured into Orchard Day Nursery site, on Henley Road, for seven days before Thames Water was able to find the blockage and the flow was finally stopped on Tuesday, February 16.

The nursery has now confirmed the cause was a building site nearby, with a big pump accidentally diverting sewage into the nursery’s garden.

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Manager Humphrey Boyd said the community action has been “amazing” and they started to have offers of alternative venues within an hour.

He said: “It is extraordinary how fast the community works to find solutions.”

Orchard has now found a scout hut to use as a temporary home.

Nursery flooding

The affected part of the site has been thoroughly cleaned but Mr Boyd said he does not consider it biologically safe yet.

He said: “We will be science led. We are going to make sure it is really thoroughly tested.”

The main building was not affected and the youngest children could soon return to the site, with older children going to the temporary scouts hut site.

The Orchard Nursery

However, the nursery is mostly outdoors, having adapted to the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Hilary Smart, a parent at the nursery, said: “Following the appeal in the Chronicle and on social media several possible locations reached out to the Orchard.

“One of these was a perfect fit for the preschool children, having the outside space that is crucial for them to play (and also in these times to ensure COVID safety).

“The fit out will begin shortly, and as soon as Ofsted are able to complete their inspection the children will be in and playing together again – and the parents will be breathing a collective sigh of relief.

“We are grateful to all those in the community who shared the appeal, and to those organisations who reached our with offers of space.”

Mr Boyd also praised Ofsted, saying they have “moved heaven and earth for us”.