Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries say the decision to close the nursery in Southport “was not agreed or supported by head office”.
Parents, staff and children were left distraught when Monkey Puzzle, on Hoghton Street in Southport town centre, closed with immediate effect on Tuesday (30th January 2024).
A GoFundMe page has since been set to ‘say thank to all the amazing staff’ there’.
Richard Blunden, CEO, Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries, has issued a statement which says:
“Late on the 30th January, we learned of the closure of Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Southport, following parents and staff being informed by the business owner.
“We understand this has come as a shock and we’re deeply saddened by the impact on parents, carers, staff and the Southport community.
“The Southport nursery was owned and operated by a franchisee of Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries and the decision to close was not agreed or supported by head office.
“Our commitment to providing exceptional care and education has always been our top priority, and we are currently exploring all options to mitigate the impact.
“Please be aware that due to the nature of early years childcare provision, our head office team do not have access to parent contact details for individual nursery locations, therefore further updates will be posted on this website: monkeypuzzlesouthport.co.uk”
A fundraising appeal has been set up to help the members of staff who were suddenly made redundant when Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery in Southport closed with £300 has already raised from parents of children at the nursery. People are able to donate via their GoFundMe page’ here.
The page says: “Hi my name is Bernice and I am fundraising for the lovely staff at Monkey Puzzle that have lost their jobs with immediate effect after the nursery has gone into liquidation.
“These staff aren’t being paid and have families themselves to support. This is a way for all us parents who would have bought little gifts or cards to say thank you for looking after all our little ones, they loved you all!!!!!”
Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery issued a statement earlier this week which said: “It is with much sadness that we write to say Monkey Puzzle has closed (Tuesday 30th January).
“We are extremely upset that so many great staff will now become redundant and of course, that you will be terribly inconvenienced whilst you secure new childcare.
“We have explored many different avenues which would allow us to remain open and continue to provide a safe, secure and fun environment for your children.
“We failed and for that we are truly sorry.”
Members of staff at the nursery say they are “devastated” by the news, having received the news at the same time as everyone else.
One parent said: “This is shocking news for parents in Southport who have now been left at no notice unable to go to work for the foreseeable as the nursery closed with no notice.
“The hours that the nursery offered, no-one else does, and it will leave some parents really struggling.
“They also received money for next month from parents, who now can’t afford to pay for new childcare whilst they fight for it back.”
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