Shock as Carleton Childcare nursery set to close its doors for good seven days before Christmas
“We are all devastated at the way this will end”
A Fylde coast nursery is facing closure seven days before Christmas.
Carleton Childcare on Bispham Road in Carleton will shut its doors for good on December 18 after operating in the village for more than 60 years, owner Sarah Loughran has confirmed.
It will make 19 staff at risk of redundancy and leave 100 families without childcare in the New Year.
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The closure of the much-loved facility, which operates as a preschool, nursery and holiday club comes after St Hilda’s School - in the grounds of which it is located - and Lancashire County Council decided not to renew its lease.
It is understood the Carleton Childcare setting is to be demolished.
“As the owner, being part of so many children’s and families’ lives has been a pleasure,” said Sarah, who rook over as owner 15 years ago.
“We are all devastated at the way this will end and would like to thank all the staff, parents and children who supported us and our family business since we took over.”
Carleton Childcare began as Carleton Pre-school and playgroup in 1965 and was run initially by volunteer parents in the village’s community scout hut.
It was one of the oldest childcare settings in the area having celebrated 60 years in the community last year with generations of the local children going to play, grow and learn with the Aunties at preschool.
The closure announcement has sent shockwaves through the Carleton community.
One local resident said: “We feel that a nursery which has served Carleton for 60 years deserves more than to simply disappear, with staff losing their employment and parents being left without childcare just before Christmas.
“ For a village community that has relied on this nursery for six decades, this is about so much more than the closure of a childcare setting.
“It is the loss of an established community service, the livelihoods of dedicated staff and the disruption of children’s early years. “
Another said: “The very short notice given for the closure will undoubtedly have a detrimental effect on the children’s development and the ability for parents to find alternative childcare arrangements.”
A Lancashire County Council spokesman said: “We understand that a privately owned day nursery based within the grounds of Carleton St Hilda’s CE Primary School is due to close before Christmas.
“The nursery operates from temporary accommodation on the school site, with its lease due to expire next May.
“We recognise that the closure may cause concern for families, particularly those who now need to find alternative arrangements.
“We would encourage any parents and carers looking for childcare to use Lancashire County Council’s information and support to find alternative provision in their area.”
The County Council added that it did not give notice on the lease before its expiry date of May 2027.