PARENTS have told of their shock and sadness after an East Yorkshire children’s nursery closed down suddenly.

The privately run Big Blue House Day Nursery in Buttercrambe Road, Stamford Bridge, shut last Friday evening.

Parents told The Press they had been left to find alternative care for an estimated 50 children, and the future of about 20 staff employed by the nursery is understood to be uncertain.

One parent, who asked not to be named, said: “A friend is looking after my child today.

“It’s so sad for the staff – it was a brilliant nursery because the staff were wonderful. You didn't mind leaving your child there because you knew they were safe and having fun.

“The staff will be gutted, some of them have been there for years. One minute the children have been playing with their friends and the next, that's it.”

Another parent spoke of her concern for staff, who she said had worked really hard and done everything they could to keep the nursery going out of loyalty, but were owed money.

“The girls worked until 10pm to phone all the parents on Friday and let them know.”

Amanda Melka, the owner of the business, said last night that the nursery had been suffering difficult trading conditions and poor cash flow for more than a year, but she had decided to “do the right thing” and try to keep it going for the sake of the children and the staff in the hope it would turn the corner.

She said the business had been in arrears to the landlord, and she had been given an hour’s notice to quit last Friday evening.

“The staff are understandably very upset. We are all absolutely devastated.”

East Riding of Yorkshire Council said it could not comment about a privately run nursery, other than to advise parents to contact the Families Information Service Hub on (01482) 396469, email fish@eastriding.gov.uk or visit fish.eastriding.gov.uk