South Manchester parents say they have been left in the lurch after discovering their daycare centre suddenly closed on Friday (March 6) without any notice.
Parents at Oaklands Day Nursery in Chorlton were shocked to find the centre was locked up with no staff present.
They now suspect it might have gone bust after discovering public records online which state management 'wound up' the business two weeks ago.
"It's an absolute disgrace," Anna Tonkinson, a parent who uses the day nursery service, told the Manchester Evening News.
"My husband turned up at 8am to find the door locked and the lights out.
"One of the parents there thought it might have been due to coronavirus or something, there was just no notice or explanation."
Anna says a sign was finally put on the door a few hours later, which she says "offered no explanation whatsoever".
The sign read: "Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances we are unable to open today.
"We sincerely apologise for inconvenience."
A notice online filed on The Gazette says DTSC Management Limited, the trading company behind Oaklands Day Nursery, had filed a petition to wind up on February 21.
According to The Gazette, the petition was resolved on March 3.
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Parents say they have still not have been officially notified about what has happened.
Anna's eldest daughter has used the service for almost three years, while her one-year-old was due to start soon.
"It's convenient it's happened after they've taken all our money," she added.
"We've just signed registration forms for my youngest. They were due to start in three weeks.
"It's just so disgraceful."
Anna said many of the other parents who use the day nursery, who have a WhatsApp group together, are now worrying about trying to find last-minute child care.
"It's caused a lot of anger and upset with parents," Anna added.
"I've been ringing day cares all day long and I think I might have found the last place left in Chorlton.
"It's going to be very stressful for parents trying to find new places for their children."
Another parent, Abigail, has a one-year-old son who uses the day care.
"It's a complete shambles," she said.
"Thankfully, we were already leaving in two weeks but other parents are really going to have to scramble to find a place for their children.
"I just feel for all the parents and the staff really. Nobody saw it coming."
The public records listing said resolutions for winding-up were passed on March 3.
The notice said the 'company cannot, by reason of its liabilities, continue its business'.
Liquidators were also appointed for the winding-up process.
The M.E.N has tried to contact Oaklands Day Nursery, who did not respond to comment.
