My daughter has attended Knotty Ash nursery now for 2 years. She started there when I had to go back to work after not only having Post Natal Depression but also losing my Mum.

I was so unsure about leaving my 11 month old daughter with anyone, but the manager and the staff made me feel so welcome and encouraged me to take as long as I needed to help her settle in. They told me that if she was happy then I would be happy and vice versa and they were so right.

Two years on I have watched my little girl blossom into a confident, happy, inquisitive child and I believe a lot of that has been because of the input from the nursery staff, who to me show daily that they care about the children in their nursery and they encourage and enable every child to reach their full potential, alongside parents.

There are children at the nursery from all walks of life, different cultures, different lifestyles and every child is treated as an individual. Some parents and children who rely on this valuable service have witnessed and been supported through Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol dependency, Mental Health issues, disability and illness and safeguarding. In this nursery the children can come along and just be children away from the stresses of home.

I know that any worries or concerns I have I can go in and discuss with either the manager or any member of staff. I have never felt as if I have been judged as a parent, only ever supported.

I looked at other nurseries in my area but Knotty Ash nursery was the only one that I felt could meet my needs as a full time working Mum and single parent.

If the council close this nursery they will be denying the community of Knotty ash one of it's greatest assets and losing many years of valuable experience from the wonderful team of dedicated and committed staff. The parents who use this facility feel so strongly about the nursery and we will do everything we can to fight against it's closure.

#9: Lisa Dempster - Save our nursery

I have sent a copy of this to budget@liverpool.gov.uk. Can people please email this address and give your views. Please try and keep it clean (no swearing). Just underline the positive of the nursery itself x