The closure of a popular nursery for refurbishment has devastated parents, who have been left scrambling for child care.

Good Shepherd Pre-school vacated its premises in Queen Mary’s Avenue this week after opening 35 years ago.

Wardens for the Good Shepherd Church, where the pre-school was based, served eviction papers to the owner Deborah Wroe last year.

But she has struggled to find a new site for the nursery, leaving parents desperately hunting for places at other nurseries in the area.

The building will now be knocked down to make way for a new nursery, with the development due to be completed some time next year.

Mrs Wroe, who has run the school for 11 years, said it was “sad something which has served the community for many years” was closed.

She said: “I have had to make eight staff redundant, some who have worked at the nursery for about 20 years, and all are now having to leave child care.

“It has been quite a traumatic year.”

Councillor John Kennedy, of Carshalton South and Clockhouse and chairman of the local committee, said the nursery had to be closed for health and safety reasons while building work went on.

He said: “In the long term the refurbishment will be a great benefit as the old building is very outdated, but it is a shame some people have been left in limbo and unable to find an alternative which is not only decent but convenient.

“It is a huge inconvenience for them and a pity that nothing can bridge the gap.”

Clair Anthony, 35, of Carshalton Beeches, whose two-year-old son Ewan goes to the nursery, said it was a “sorry situation”.

Last year Reverend Christopher Wheaton of the Good Shepherd Church said: “The church hall is no longer fit for purpose and many of our other users are regretfully withdrawing from it.

“We have therefore made plans to construct a new building.

“Unfortunately, we have been advised the construction work is too close to the old building to allow its continued use.

“We are obviously saddened by this but believe that the new hall will provide excellent new facilities both for the church and the local community.”

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