Anger over York nursery closure (From York Press)
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Anger over closure of Smartypants Nursery in Castlegate
9:20am Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News
By Richard Catton, richard.catton@thepress.co.uk
Passers-by walking near the now closed Smartypants Nursery in Castlegate, York
ANGRY parents are demanding to know why a city centre nursery has closed just days after taking fees for the coming month.
Smartypants Nursery in Castlegate closed without warning on Friday and sent letters to parents the same day, explaining the business had to close with immediate effect and acknowledging the situation may have caused “some inconvenience” to parents.
The father of one child contacted The Press today and said the nursery owners had taken a payment of more than £240 from his account just two days before they sent out the letter.
He said: “There is disgust that monies have been taken in advance for services which it would appear that the owner had no intention of providing given that notice was served not three working days after the payments had been taken.
“There is anger that families with already stretched resources are now having to pay out again to other nurseries for emergency care and to take time off work to locate and speak to nurseries.”
He said: “From what I can gather, there have been parents turning up in cars at all hours outside Smartypants premises, over the weekend and Monday morning, desperately trying to find out any information they can on why the nursery was closed so suddenly and without any warning.”
Despite emails and calls to Mrs Lane and her husband, The Press has been unable to reach the couple for a comment today.
The letter sent to parents said the guilt Mrs Lane felt at the closure was “horrendous” but she had no other option. The business is now understood to be in the hands of Leeds-based insolvency company RMS Tenon.
City of York Council said it was aware of the situation and understood 30 families had been affected by the closure.
A spokesman said: “The council learnt of the plan to close the Smartypants Nursery on Friday afternoon and was informed that the nursery had sent a letter to parents detailing their closure.”
Affected families are advised to call the family information service to gain advice about alternative childcare, on 01904 554444, email fis@york.gov.uk or by visiting www.yor-ok.org.uk/childcare
Comments(13)
minicooper
says...
2:16pm Wed 5 Sep 12
Smiler
says...
3:20pm Wed 5 Sep 12
Kaleidoscope Day Nurseries would be happy to support any families affected by this awful situation.
ReginaldBiscuit
says...
4:33pm Wed 5 Sep 12
paintitred
says...
5:13pm Wed 5 Sep 12
im sure this an option that the banks offer,
not sure if it applies in this case but worth a go
happyfeet1
says...
5:56pm Wed 5 Sep 12
It is such a shame to see that due to the economic climate that this seems to be happening to more and more nurseries. I always found the staff and manger helpful in every way. Such a shame.
Priapus
says...
6:32pm Wed 5 Sep 12
As for the so-called experts above; don't they realise that once a business gives the slightest hint it's in trouble then creditors' 90 day credit facilites etc get withdrawn and debtors withhold payments too.
JVMYork
says...
8:29pm Wed 5 Sep 12
In both Press articles there has been no mention of the fantastic nursery nurses that have lost their jobs through no fault of their own and we would like to pass on our thanks and best wishes to them for the future.
Rubiks
says...
8:51pm Wed 5 Sep 12
Omega Point
says...
9:44pm Wed 5 Sep 12
I use York Childcare Ltd for my nursery care, great reliable service.”
No2
Kaleidoscope Day Nurseries would be happy to support any families affected by this awful situation.”
Nice adverts
Rich Picking
says...
9:57pm Wed 5 Sep 12
piaggio1
says...
10:56pm Wed 5 Sep 12
?????????????????
er, what?
Rubiks
says...
12:14am Thu 6 Sep 12
piaggio1 - Electric City is the name of Jonathan Lane's company, suggesting that Rich Pickings is closely linked to Mrs Lane. If so, it is rather an ill judged metaphor given the extent of feeling amongst parents and hardly likely to garner the sympathy Mrs Lane so obviously seeks; seemingly to the exclusion of those who are the real victims here. After all, I am sure there are plenty of examples of divorcees running successful businesses.
yorkborn66 says...
1:34pm Wed 5 Sep 12
Disgusting way of taking peoples money, knowing that you are going to appoint
An Official Receiver.
If the business was under financial pressure and Insolvency was the only way out, then money should have not been taken in advance from families.
Letting parents know in advance could have saved the business depending on the dept as a deal could have been done with the parents to keep the business open.
Sadly this was not even considered.