PARENTS whose children attend a York pre-school which is facing closure say they are upset with the way the situation has been dealt with.

Cherry Tree Nursery in Hob Moor is closing in August – putting 13 jobs at risk – because managers say it is “no longer financially viable”.

But parents have complained they did not know of the planned closures until the story appeared in The Press and say they do not have enough time to find their children other nursery places.

Mother-of-two, Louise Wilkinson, from Acomb, said nursery staff had to tell parents as they dropped off their children.

She said: “We are devastated. We loved the nursery, the care is just amazing. It does not leave us much notice to find anywhere else as many waiting lists are a year long.”

In a letter to the nursery management committee and the City of York Council, mum Elizabeth Matfin, said: “I am at a loss to understand why the nursery has been deemed as financially unviable. Presumably the council own the building. There are many privately owned nurseries around the city that are able to easily make a profit. Most charge similar fees.

“Further, there has been substantial investment in the nursery over recent months. New carpets, toys and uniforms for the staff are among some of the changes that have been implemented, “What does the council intend to do with the lovely, purpose-built building? Is it to simply stand empty?

“It is all very well to say that we shall get support to find an alternative provider, but there is little choice in this area and obviously competition for any places will now be high. Most nurseries have waiting lists for places. Where does this leave all of us parents currently working who may end up without childcare come September?”

The nursery was established eight years ago as part of Hob Moor Primary School and was unique in being a commercial venture but staffed by employees of City of York Council.

In a statement issued by the council last week, it was announced a standard 30-day consultation would take place with the threatened staff and union representatives.

If the decision to close the nursery is upheld, the staff will be put on notice of redundancy.

Coun Ruth Potter, City of York Council’s lead member for education, children and young people, said a recent change in the age of when reception year children could start school meant there was no longer enough children to use the nursery.

The council has apologised for the “inconvenience and anxiety” the closure may cause.

Paul Murphy, assistant director, Adults, Children and Education Services, said: “It was certainly our intention that parents and carers would receive a letter from the council about the consultation before hearing the information from elsewhere.

“Despite our best efforts, we understand that some families did not receive their letters straight away and we apologise for any confusion or distress this may have caused.”

The decision with regard to any future use of the building will be one for the Hob Moor Federation, which rents the whole building, a council spokesman added.