Shock as Pinchbeck nursery closes its doors to children

Parents have spoken of their shock at the sudden closure of a children’s nursery in Pinchbeck.

The Little Treasures nursery at Knight Street, shut with little warning leaving some parents in tears as they tried to find alternative provision.

The nursery, which is one of four operated by the same company, had 35 children on its books according to an Ofsted report of 2017.

Families were told that it would close at 6pm last Wednesday, but were given little notice to find alternative care for their children.

One parent said she spent nearly two hours on the phone to Lincolnshire County Council trying to find any other childcare for her three-year-old.

“I have contacted numerous different childcare providers in our area and one out of our district to check for emergency availability, with no luck due to maximum capacity already reached throughout the area,” she said.

“There are parents crying on nursery doorsteps this morning, pleading to take their children so they do not lose their jobs,” she added.

The nursery, along with others in Holbeach, Spalding and Kirton, is owned by Miranda Beba, who is currently living in Spain.

A team member at the Spalding nursery declined to comment on the Pinchbeck closure and said the company would not be issuing any statement.

Social media reports suggest that a lack of staff may have been behind the closure.

The last Ofsted inspection took place in 2017 and the nursery was rated as good at the time. There were five members of staff and 35 children aged from birth to four.

Other nursery providers in the area have been trying to help parents.

“I feel so sorry for all the children that have been there a long time and just don’t understand they’re not going to see their friends,” said Michelle Repper, of Repper’s Rascals Childminders, who posted that she had received 17 enquiries for spaces in 24 hours, but was full.

Jo Kavanagh, assistant director for children’s services at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “This was an unexpected closure, and we are working with the provider to signpost parents to other childcare where available.

“In addition, we have contacted other local childcare providers and Ofsted to explore the possibility of creating additional places in the area.

“We understand that this is a difficult situation for the parents and can assure them we are working hard to find a solution.”