- The only private crèche in Pont-à-Marcq is due to close at the end of August.
- The town hall has decided not to renew the commercial lease for the crèche.
- The families denounce an "unjustified" decision by the municipality.
"Jeux m'Eveille" could fall asleep forever. The only private micro crèche in Pont-à-Marcq, a small town south of Lille, should close its doors definitively at the end of August. The coronavirus crisis however has nothing to do with it since, economically, the structure is doing quite well. The lessor of the crèche, which is none other than the town hall, has simply decided not to renew the commercial lease. A legal decision that nevertheless risks putting six people out of work and 13 families in a panic.
The “Jeux m'éveille” micro crèche was installed nine years ago in a small one-story house belonging to the municipality of Pont-à-Marcq. A nine-year commercial lease has been signed and the manager of the establishment has carried out all the compliance work for the reception of children. “We are 13 families to have chosen this crèche which is the only one to practice the Montessori method. The manager does not even need to advertise, there is never a vacancy, "says Céline, the mother of a little girl taken care of for three years in this structure.
"This decision of the town hall is not justified"
According to several parents, the families were informed, at the end of June, of the confirmation of non-renewal of the lease of the crèche by the town hall. The six-month notice was issued to the manager last January, under the previous term. And the municipal election did not change anything. If the former mayor passed the hand, it was one of his assistants at the time, Sylvain Clément, who was elected in the first round of municipal elections, last March.
"This decision of the town hall is not justified, it is not as if the rents were not paid", plague another mother who prefers to remain anonymous. At stake, the dismissal of five employees of the crèche and the project of the manager who collapses even if the latter must benefit from an eviction indemnity. "The crèche must close on August 31, but it is already very difficult, if not impossible, to find a place in another structure in such a short time," complains Céline.
"I cannot say that the crèche will have to leave or if it will be able to stay"
However, this small town has no shortage of childminders. They are 17 listed on the town hall website and most belong to the Lolina Pam association. Two of them are also municipal councilors and another is assistant to the mayor in charge of childhood. It was the latter, Albertina Meire, who replied to 20 Minutes : “This matter is under discussion. To date, I cannot say that the crèche will have to leave or if it will be able to stay, ”she said. On the reasons which motivate the town hall not to renew the lease, the assistant preferred “not to communicate. »Requested by 20 Minutes , the mayor did not follow up. The elected official must nevertheless receive one of the angry moms on Thursday. And she hopes to get answers.
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