Hundreds of families have been plunged into a New Year crisis after an Ipswich-based childcare provider operating across Suffolk collapsed and announced the immediate closure of all sites.

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

East Anglian Daily Times: Alpha Nurseries took over Brambles in Reydon in 2018 and the local town crier took part in the re-opening.Alpha Nurseries took over Brambles in Reydon in 2018 and the local town crier took part in the re-opening. (Image: Alpha Nurseries)

It also has centres in Norfolk, Essex, Kent, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Staffordshire.

On Friday managing director Gerard Dooley wrote to parents telling them that the company was closing with immediate effect.

His letter 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 ever 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."

Insolvency specialists Begbies Traynor have been engaged to put Alpha Nurseries into Creditors' Voluntary Liquidation.

East Anglian Daily Times: Alpha Nurseries operates across Suffolk and has sites in other parts of the country.Alpha Nurseries operates across Suffolk and has sites in other parts of the country. (Image: Alpha Nurseries)

Mr Dooley's letter adds: "Please accept our sincere apologies for any difficulty which this may cause you and your family and we hope you are able to secure alternate arrangements as soon as possible."

The closure has left parents facing a real dilemma over a Bank Holiday weekend with no childcare in place for when they are due to return to work on Tuesday morning.

One mother said: "Staff and parents were informed, for the first time, around 2.30pm yesterday.

"My son attended Treehouse Nursery on Clapgate Lane.  We picked him up at 3pm yesterday and the nursery closed shortly afterwards.  

"Treehouse employs about 15 staff and has around 30 children that attend.  Multiply that by 10 and that's a lot of people suffering due to the closure.  

"Some parents are now expected in work at 9am on Tuesday with no childcare in place and most, if not all, nurseries in the area will be closed for the weekend and Bank Holiday, so there's no possibility of arranging a solution in time."

Already parents' social media networks are discussing alternative childcare arrangements - but making arrangements over the New Year bank holiday weekend might be a challenge.