Parents say they are 'disgusted' with the way they've been treated amid the sudden closure of a children's nursery and after school club.
Families with youngsters at Windsor Road Day Nursery in Newton Heath were informed late last Tuesday that the place would be closed from Wednesday morning. Parents were sent a text at 10.30pm to inform them that the nursery, as well as All Stars Out Of School Club at nearby All Saints Primary School, would be 'closing with immediate effect' and to check their email for details.
The email told them the decision had been made 'with a heavy heart' and followed months of financial struggle for the childcare setting.
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But one mum, whose two-year-old son was only taken on at the nursery six weeks ago after they moved house, says they should never have offered him a place under the circumstances and it's left them more than £400 out of pocket.
"We have worked out we are owed £424," said the mum. "We have been told we will be sent details of the liquidation company re fees paid but we are aware the likelihood of getting that money back anytime soon is slim."
She said she and her husband are 'furious', adding: "It is a huge change at the age of two and ultimately they should not have taken him on.
"Knowing this has been an issue for months, they have taken our son on at the nursery and taken our money, rather than considering what is best for the children that they are meant to care for.
"Having admitted they have known for months, it is disgusting to tell parents by a brief text at 10.30pm. We woke up to the text on Wednesday morning to find the website had been taken down, social media gone and didn't get sent the letter until 7.30am when he would usually already be at nursery and myself and my husband on our way to our full time jobs.
"We were unable to work and have had to rush to find a new provider and the money to pay a new provider when we have already paid Windsor Road. We are at a loss of over £400 when the cost of living crisis is affecting us all."
The closure of both settings has affected 38 children in total, while staff have had to look for work elsewhere. Owner Donna Johnson told the Manchester Evening News she was 'heartbroken' over the decision.
"The nursery has been struggling financially for a number of months due to a downturn in the requirement for childcare following the COVID-19 pandemic and we have been having to put money from our own personal finances due to the low funding rates and record high inflation rates to cover wages and bills," she said.
"We had hoped that by September, we would have new children start with us in the new term and the business would get back on its feet. Unfortunately, that has not been the case and we took the difficult decision on Tuesday to close immediately as we would be unable to pay wages at the end of the month as the business was no longer sustainable."
She added: "We tried to call as many parents as we could after meeting the staff in person to break the sad news and sent messages and email to those parents and carers we could not speak to directly. Parents will be given the details of the liquidation company to discuss payments made and potential refunds.
"We had 38 children overall and they have all been supported to find new settings. Some of our staff are even helping parents with settle sessions at their new nurseries.
"We are heartbroken that it has come to this. All staff have been supported to find new jobs and many are going to the same local settings as some of our children."
In the email to parents, she said: "We understand that this is a very upsetting and unsettling time, but we have explored every option available to us to be able to continue to operate with no success."
The closures come just weeks after the M.E.N reported on the crisis in Greater Manchester nurseries, with staff walking out, energy bills going up and parents struggling to cope with rising fees.
Wendy Hartley, who runs the Brown Bear nursery chain in Stockport, claimed the private childcare sector is facing the biggest crisis of its time, as providers are being forced to pass on mounting costs to parents - and staff are leaving in their droves due to a lack of decent wages.
Previously parents have told us how many families are being priced out of childcare, and having to choose between work or sending their child to nursery.
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