A Suffolk nursery will be closing just before Christmas as the childcare sector struggles to survive, leaving parents to find alternative provision for their children.

YMCA Childcare Grundisburgh is set to shut on Friday, December 20 after exploring all options to continue operating.

At its last inspection by watchdog Ofsted in July 2022, the nursery in Alice Driver Road, which was rated good, cared for 27 children aged between two and five.

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A spokesman for YMCA Trinity Group, which owns the nursery, said: “YMCA Childcare Grundisburgh will permanently close on Friday, December 20, 2024.

“We explored every option to keep the service running, but the financial difficulties the facility is faced with leave no alternative.

"We really understand how upsetting this is for our families and we have been proud to be part of this fantastic community, but sadly after exploring all options of delivery we can no longer remain open.

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“Our priority now is to support parents and children with the transition to alternative childcare.”

Earlier this year, this newspaper revealed how nursery bosses said they were being "squeezed" by the rise in the minimum wage and a government funding shortfall.

In December 2023, Ipswich-based childcare provider Alpha Nurseries collapsed with the immediate closure of all its sites across Suffolk.

These included pre-school and out-of-school clubs, including four in Ipswich and others in Kesgrave, Martlesham, Felixstowe, Lowestoft and Reydon, near Southwold.

In a letter to parents, managing director Gerard Dooley said: "It is with great sadness that we are writing to inform you that the directors of Alpha Nurseries (and all subsidiary companies) have regretfully had to make the decision to cease trading with effect from today, December 2023 due to its financial position.

"As a consequence, all nursery facilities will close with effect from today and will not re-open.

"This was an extremely difficult decision and was not taken lightly, however, essentially there was no ability for the business to continue to remain open."

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