Childcare: Enfield nursery’s sudden closure shocks parents and staff

Parents have described the decision to close a nursery with immediate effect as “devastating, chaotic and stressful”.

Cedar Park Nursery in Enfield, north London, closed its doors on Tuesday, claiming it was to go into administration.

A member of staff, who did not want to be named, told the BBC he was “out of sorts and not sleeping”.

The BBC did not have a response from the nursery but, in a letter to parents, one of the directors apologized for “what will no doubt be a terrible inconvenience to everyone”.

The decision affects 117 children at the nursery which employed 37 staff, according to the BBC.

Zehra Nevzat, 37, whose 19-month-old daughter attended the kindergarten, said: “It was very sudden and confusing. No one gave a full explanation.”

She added: “I honestly feel my daughter is homeless now as we have been long term customers of the nursery.

“We were very pleased with the staff, the children were happy and there was no suspicion that anything was wrong.

“Until Tuesday night, I had no idea the nursery was struggling. We received this letter while picking up our children.”

Staff at the nursery told the BBC they were unaware of the nursery’s financial situation and planned to take legal action.

In a statement, they said: “Words cannot express our shock and sadness at the sudden closure of Cedar Park Kindergarten.

“The wonderful staff and children and families made working there so special and enjoyable.

“We are still trying to process the sudden closure which has unfortunately left many staff unemployed and hundreds of parents without childcare.

“There are staff members who have dedicated their careers to Cedar Park, with tenures of over 15 years, who are now out of a job.”