Published: Wednesday, 1st July, 2009 9:22am

Nursery closure shocks parents

by Jamie Borthwick

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THE sudden closure of a popular nursery has shocked parents who claim they saw no warning that the facility was about to go under.

Goldenhill Nursery - a private day care centre for tots from six-weeks-old until school age - closed on Thursday.

It is thought to have been another victim of the credit crunch and Robert Caven has been appointed interim liquidator of the company.

The first inkling that the nursery - with a roll of 90 kids, 41 of which were council funded - was in trouble came at the beginning of last week when kids were sent home early after they were told there was a 'gas leak' at the Hardgate centre.

The building on Gavins Road is now locked up with signs saying "Nursery Closed" on the doors.

One mum told the Post parents were left angry and confused when they got a phone call on Thursday morning telling them not to come back.

She said: 'We just got phoned in the morning to say it had gone bust.

'There were rumours the staff hadn"t been paid for the last few months so reading between the lines it looks like financial troubles.

'I can"t say enough good about the staff there - they were all fantastic - which makes it all the more disappointing.'

One dad said: 'It seems there is no hope at all.

'The nursery was full and running well, it seems strange it would close just like this.

'The parents are completely shocked - I couldn"t believe it. We looked long and hard before choosing Goldenhill because it was so good and it will be difficult to find an nursery we can trust like it.'

Terry Lanagan, West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) Education director, said the council would try to find new nursery places for the 41 tots who are left without day care facilities as a result of the closure.

Mr Lanagan said: 'It was a great shock to learn of the sudden closure of Goldenhill Daycare Centre.

'The council funds 41 pre-school and ante-pre-school places at this private nursery.

'The loss of any educational establishment in the area is a cause for regret and this closure will cause significant difficulties for the families concerned.

'However, WDC is committed to mitigating the effects of the closure on the children and their parents.'

Goldenhill Nursery declined to comment.