Parents and staff have expressed their "heartbreak" after a Shepshed nursery announced its closure.

Oak Treehouse Nursery told parents this week that it will be shutting its doors at the end of the month after finding out its costs were set to quadruple.

The nursery has been part of the community for 16 years. Managing director Sally Walton-Maxfield said in a letter to parents that the decision had been "the hardest of [her] life", adding that it "hurts [her] deeply" that she cannot find a solution and keep the business open.

Ms Walton-Maxfield told the LDRS: "As you can imagine, it is a very difficult time for both staff and parents. Our rent, including operational costs, has quadrupled.

"We want to express our gratitude to all the parents for their support during this challenging period. We are also thankful for all the staff who have contributed to making the Oak Treehouse what it is today, and we will miss all of the children and parents."

The site is owned by Leicestershire County Council, which sets rent and service charges for the nursery. The council said the current charge totalled around £15,000 annually. A spokesman for the authority told the LDRS it was proposing to increase that to £60,000.

Lead member for children and families and acting leader of the council Deborah Taylor said the authority had "some discussions" with the nursery to see if there "was a way forward", but had not been able "to come to a viable solution". She added: "We appreciate this is a difficult time, but we'll work with parents to find alternative places for their children in the area."

A number of parents have contacted the LDRS to express their feelings over the closure. One described the nursery as having "been at the heart of hundreds of families for 16 years", saying the news was "heartbreaking" for "everyone past and present".

She added: "The staff are incredible, they care and love our children and always go above and beyond." Her child currently attends the nursery, and she said she now had to find a new placement in three weeks, despite most nurseries having waiting lists.

Another Shepshed resident said both of her children, now aged 16 and 13, went to the nursery, describing it as "fabulous". Rebecca Cox added: "The team were, and still are, simply fantastic. They created a safe space for children to thrive and became a second family for our girls. The transition to school was so much easier than it could have been simply because of the team's dedication to early school skills and confidence building. But most importantly they cared for each child based on their individual needs."

"The parents of the children are also devastated and, given the short notice of closure, are faced with challenges around finding local provision," she said. "All child minders are currently full. [Parents are concerned about] how they will continue to work or find a nursery close enough that's conducive to school drop offs and getting to work on time."

A third parent said she had a child currently at the nursery and was hoping to send her younger child there in the new year. She said: "They all work so hard for our children and love all of them as though they were their own." She added: "I am keenly aware of how they see each individual's needs and passions, how strongly they feel for the care of the children they are entrusted with. I just cannot stress enough how amazing they all are."

"I am desperately considering other nurseries but they just don't compare to Sally's and her fantastic team and setting," said the mum. "They have supported not only my first born to be the fantastically clever and passionate young boy he is, but they have also been a huge support to me, always willing to have a conversation and a hug if needed; being that vital village of people in our community when our wider family all live an hour away."

A petition has been set up online calling on newly elected local MP Jeevun Sandher to challenge the fee increase on behalf of the local community. It has been signed 558 times in two days.

Mr Sandher told the LDRS: "Like all of the parents who have contacted me, I am deeply concerned about the closure of the Oak Tree Nursery. As every parent knows, the earliest years are the most important in a child's life. I am here to serve the parents of Shepshed. I will be doing everything I can to help the affected families and ensure they have the excellent childcare every kid deserves."

Councillor Taylor said: "Since the [neighbouring] school converted to an academy, the nursery building has become the responsibility of the council. The costs and service charges have been reviewed to ensure they are in line with current market rental prices and service charges.

"We did have some discussions with the nursery to see if there was way forward, but unfortunately we've not been able to come to a viable solution. We appreciate this is a difficult time, but we'll work with parents to find alternative places for their children in the area."

The letter to parents

"Dear Parents,

"It is with great sadness that I write this letter to you all, a letter that I hoped I would never have to write. I am in complete shock that our rent and operational costs have quadrupled. This has made the nursery non-viable going forward. Even though we are currently operating a waiting list, the money that we would need to increase fees by wouldn't be cost effective for you all.

"It is therefore, with deep and heartfelt sorrow that I write to inform you that The Oak Treehouse will close after 16 years on the 31st July 2024. This has been the hardest decision of my life, one that I have tried very hard to avoid having to make, particularly as I value all the hard work and commitment from all of the staff who have stuck by me for a long time. The Nursery wouldn't be what it is today without them, and it hurts me deeply that I cannot find a solution.

"I have explored all other possibilities of continuing to run The Oak Treehouse, but sadly I am out of options… I wished I could have given you all more notice to be able to find alternatives, but it has now been taken out of my hands.

"I wish you all the best for the future,

"Sally xx"

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