Families Matter baby nurseries for teenage parents

In response to demands from local teenage parents via the Hornsey YMCA Families Matter project, Hornsey YMCA opened its first baby nursery in Stroud Green N4 in September 2005, and is due to open its second nursery in Palmers Green N13 in February 2006.

The Families Matter Project comes into contact with many teenage mothers – some as young as 13 or 14 - who find themselves unable to finish school or attend further education as they have to stay at home to look after their babies. This is either due to a lack of any support from family or friends, or due to there being an absence of any quality nursery care for very young babies – the majority of nurseries will only take babies from the age of 9 months. These babies need nursery care from the age of 6 weeks in order for their young parents to continue with their valuable schooling. Missing school means they become even more isolated from their peers, miss crucial educational opportunities, then go on to have fewer chances of gaining employment in later years. Teenage parents are more likely to become benefit- dependent in later life – not a good start for their children.

For more information click on: Families Matter Project

The project provides free nursery places and quality care for their babies during school hours.

The Stroud Green nursery was officially opened in November 2005 by the Bishop of London, the Right Reverand and Right Honourable Richard Chartres.

Jodie aged 16 takes her 7-month old son Mon-Fri while she re-sits her GCSEs. "If it wasn't for this place, I wouldn't be able to go back to school; I'd be at home living off benefits. It has given me a second chance to finish my education"

Karina aged 16 was told about the nursery when she was pregnant with her ne-year old son. "I was worried that I might have to stop school but Families Matter talked to my headteacher. I started school when he was one month old. It was easy for me to catch up." Denese is now studying business studies, sociology, maths and English, wants to carry on after school and study law.

Louis Lewis, Chief executive of Hornsey YMCA said, "Our new nursery will give a very positive impact on the lives and employment opportunities of lots of teenage mums."