Jobs To Go As York Nursery Shuts

Parents with children at a York nursery have been given a week to find alternative childcare after it announced it is to close.

The Primary Steps Nursery, which is based at Next Generation Gym, in Hull Road, gave children and parents one week’s notice to quit on Tuesday.

Although the nursery is at the leisure complex, it is run independently by Primary Steps/Creative Education Corporation, which has 27 nurseries nationwide and went into administration in August.

advertisementAbout 140 children under the age of five and their parents will be affected and 15 nursery employees will lose their jobs when it closes on Wednesday.

Parents claim there will be potentially serious repercussions for their employment and almost certainly emotional trauma and distress for children who they feel are effectively being abandoned by the company.

Dr Christine Skinner, who works at the department of Social Policy and Social Work at the University of York, said her colleagues will be affected by the closure.

She said: “This is appalling and completely immoral treatment of staff and families.

“Moreover, parents stand to lose hundreds of pounds as they have paid a monthly advance for care for November.”

Mum Janette Saul, 28, of The Crescent, off Blossom Street, paid £762 a month to send her eight-month-old daughter, Darcey, to the nursery.

She said: “I don’t work so I am one of the lucky ones and can look after Darcey at home, but this is a real shame as all the kids love going and they’ll be heart-broken.”

Nursery manager Nicola Cooper, who lives in Osbaldwick said: “It is an extremely upsetting time for everyone. The parents have been extremely supportive and we are all working together to do our best for the children.”

Mum Rachel Smith, of Bishopthorpe, works part-time as a project manager for City of York Council and her one-year-old son, Dylan, goes to the nursery.

She said: “I’m really devastated. When you go through the choices of where to send your child you agonise and think long and hard about where to send them and I picked this as the best choice and when you find out that’s been taken away from you, it’s just heart-breaking.”

Paul Murphy, assistant director for children’s services at City of York Council, said: “The council has responsibility to ensure adequate childcare is available in York for children.

“We will be doing everything we can to support the families of the children involved, to find them suitable alternative nursery care.

“Council support staff were at the nursery to talk to families and carers and give them information about the alternative nursery care available.

“As to the future, the Council will be looking to encourage other nurseries to set up at this site to replace the existing facility as soon as possible.”

A spokeswoman for Next Generation said: “Next Generation Clubs are currently looking into other opportunities; and hope to have a replacement facility as soon as possible in order to minimise disruption for members.”

Parents should contact the council’s information service on 01904 554628 or text info’ to 07624 802244. They will be able to match families to other nurseries that meet their needs.