A popular nursery has closed due to "financial difficulties" with staff told they had lost their jobs at the end of their shift.
Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery in Southport confirmed it had closed with immediate effect via an email sent to parents after they had picked up their children yesterday evening, Tuesday, January 30. The statement, which parents at the nursery shared online, said: "It is with much sadness that we write to say Monkey Puzzle has closed.
"We are extremely upset that so many great staff will now become redundant and of course, that you will be terribly inconvenienced whilst you secure new childcare. We have explored many different avenues which would allow us to remain open and to continue to provide a safe, secure and fun environment for your children. We failed and for that we are truly sorry."
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Another message leaked online which appeared to be from the manager of the nursery said staff "received the news at the same time as everyone else, this decision was made without my doing and knowledge". She added: "This was all down to financial difficulties."
Further emails seen by the ECHO showed staff asking parents to settle their outstanding invoices. One email added: "As a business we too have experienced soaring food inflation and interest rates, heating and utilities prices skyrocketing and so on".
The ECHO understands the nursery's day to day staff and parents found out about the closure at around 6.30pm. When the ECHO called the number listed on the nursery's website today, a pre-recorded message said the line was busy and advised to leave a message.
When approached by the ECHO, Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries said the Southport site was franchised and "the decision to close was not agreed or supported by head office". Richard Blunden, CEO of the nursery chain, said: "Late on January 30 we learned of the closure of Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Southport, following parents and staff being informed by the business owner.
"We understand this has come as a shock and we’re deeply saddened by the impact on parents, carers, staff and the Southport community. The Southport nursery was owned and operated by a franchisee of Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries and the decision to close was not agreed or supported by head office.
"Our commitment to providing exceptional care and education has always been our top priority, and we are currently exploring all options to mitigate the impact. Please be aware that due to the nature of early years childcare provision, our head office team do not have access to parent contact details for individual nursery locations, therefore further updates will be posted on [the Southport nursery's website]."
People were quick to offer sympathy to the staff and parents left stranded by the decision, while parents spoke of how they found out about the closure. One wrote online: "No advanced warning, just that message this evening. My child did go there and due to be in tomorrow…currently looking elsewhere."
A number of other nurseries and schools in the Sefton town also offered their assistance to both staff and parents. The nursery added in its email to parents that questions regarding fees should direct their queries to insolvency company Leonard Curtis.
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