PARENTS say they have been left hundreds of pounds out of pocket after a nursery suddenly closed its doors.

Cbabiesafe, which has branches in Hove and Worthing, shut with two days’ warning earlier this month.

Parents who paid for childcare in advance say they have lost out – some to the tune of almost £1,000.

One mother, who did not want to be named, said: “It looks like the owners just ran off.

“There was no notice and nobody’s got their money back.

“I was just about to pay £225 for the week ahead. I’m so lucky I didn’t. Other parents say they lost nearly £1,000 paying for a month’s daycare in advance.

“I was dependent on the nursery for daycare. I’ve got no one else to help me and now I can’t work because I have to look after my son.”

“Staff weren’t given any warning. They were just told not to come into work and that they were losing their jobs.”

The nursery was open as usual on Friday February 7, but parents were told it would be shut the following Monday. The mother who spoke to The Argus said: “Ten minutes after we picked up our kids at the end of the week we got this message saying it was shutting.

“We had a few hours to pick up our things the following Monday, but we’ve heard nothing.”

“I’m shocked and sad. Other parents are angry. We didn’t get told why. My two-year-old son was so shocked when he found out he wasn’t going to nursery any more.

“It’s so unfair. It breaks my heart talking about the nursery this way because the staff were so caring and helpful.”

Milk cartons were piled up outside the locked nursery in Connaught Road, Hove, yesterday. Noboby answered the bell.

The company’s public finance records show its accounts are almost a month overdue. In an email to parents, seen by The Argus, the company’s director Tony Rawbin said: “I am writing with great sadness but I have to inform you that Cbabiesafe Limited has today after 20 years of trading closed its doors for the last time and ceased trading with immediate effect. I know how much this will disrupt matters for you but I am truly sorry that this position has been forced upon us whereby this action is the only solution we can take.”

“If you have any personal possessions or belongings in the nursery then please advise by mail and we will arrange a mutually convenient time for the collection of your items.”

The company would not say whether parents would get their money back and did not respond to the Argus’s request for comment.

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “We were given no notice of the Cbabiesafe closure and were first made aware when contacted by parents and another childcare provider.

“Our Family Information Service has been helping families who’ve been affected by the closure and offered them assistance in finding new early years provision.

“We’d like to thank other local providers who have been very forthcoming in being able to offer places to families.”