Lewisham parents are “devastated” by the “shock closure” of a nursery that has been operating for 40 years.

On Saturday, August 31, parents were informed via email that St Andrew’s Community Nursery would be closing its doors.

Parents were told that the closure of this non-profit nursery and afterschool club was due to an “unsustainable financial burden”.

The group also claim that 19 members of staff were told only one day prior that they would be made redundant at the end of September.

Catherine Ames, a parent who relies on St Andrew’s Community Nursery, said: "Our son says that he is part of the family at St Andrew’s.

“He feels so safe and happy there and has really gained in self-confidence being with the other children and all the staff who take care to know everyone personally.

“I can't tell him it may close, he will be distraught." 

Earlier this year, parents claim that fees increased to match rising costs that the nursery faced – but there was no suggestion given that the nursery was in trouble.

According to parents, the decision to close the nursery was made by trustees.

Parents claim the decision was made “behind closed doors and without consultation with the hundreds of families who have children at the centre's much-loved nursery and after school club”.

Now, parents who relied on the nursery are “left in limbo” as they claim there is “little affordable childcare in the local area”.

Kate Powdrill, another parents whose children attend the nursery, said: "My two children are devastated at the loss of their brilliant afterschool club and I rely on it to be able to work.

“I don't understand why the trustees won't talk to us and let us work with them - the clock is ticking to save the centre but you can see by the response from the community that we won't give up until its future is secure" 

Despite having sent “countless emails” asking for a meeting, the trustees have not replied to parents to clarify the reason for the closure and to discuss other options, parents say.

The Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy has a deadline for submissions on September 23 and parents are calling for some of this money to be spent on saving the nursery.

Over 100 parents have come together with their concerns as to them the nursery is “a vital prt of the community”.

The News Shopper has contacted St Andrew’s Community Nursery for comment.