Immaculate Tots Nursery Old Sarum suddenly closes for good

Parents and staff members have been left shocked after Immaculate Tots Nursery, in Old Sarum, closed on Thursday, June 8.

Director Rita Okorie informed parents that the nursery closed because of "staffing challenges" and the "struggle" of running it.

In a message on Family App, Ms Okorie said: "We regret to announce to you that the nursery will be shut for good with immediate effect, as we can not safely care for the children and meet the statutory requirement."

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While staff stayed at the nursery throughout the day, parents were told to pick their children up as soon as possible.

This came after Ofsted told the nursery it needed to improve following an inspection on April 26.

Immaculate Tots Nursery. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

Ms Okorie, who has owned the nursery since it opened in August 2018, apologised for the disruption and explained what led to the closure.

Describing Immaculate Tots as "more than a business" to her, Ms Okorie said: "The ever-increasing operational cost has made it impossible to sustain the day-to-day running of the nursery.

"With the ongoing staff shortages, recruitment and retention challenges, high operating cost and underfunding in the childcare sector, there was no way we would have continued."

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These challenges caused Ms Okorie anxiety and her stress levels have become "unhealthy".

Despite this, she is proud of what the nursery has achieved in the last five years.

"We are most honoured to have provided high-quality care for children and their families. When they move on to big schools the positive feedback from their schools makes it all worth it," she added.

Chloe Oxford, of St Peter's Place, told the Journal the nursery was not doing enough for her 10-month-old son Nathaniel.

Chloe Oxford with her son Nathaniel. (Image: Chloe Oxford)

The 24-year-old said the closure is "absolutely shocking", adding: "It was a case of pick your kids up, we’re done.

“What we are worried about is if she is going to refund us."

Chloe was told not to bring Nathaniel to nursery on Tuesday, June 6, because staff would be "over ratio", meaning too many children per member of staff.

She has since secured a place at Tops Day Nursery for July.

"Finding the new nursery was one thing but finding the money to pay for the new deposit is another," she added.

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All staff members were made redundant and they had just finished packing up the nursery when the Journal arrived to speak to them.

One member of staff, who asked to remain anonymous, said she put her "heart and soul" into the nursery.

She added: "The children know us, love us and they count on us."

The staff member explained how she had not had time to process the news since her concentration was on making sure the children got home safely.