FAMILIES have been left devastated after a popular Cockermouth childcare service was told to leave its premises, prompting its closure.

Parents at Mountain View Childcare were shocked to learn that the early years care provider, which also offers before and after-school care, will shut on Wednesday.

The community interest company has rented a previously-vacant classroom at St Joseph's Primary School since 2004.

But the school has given it less than three weeks' notice to vacate.

In its weekly bulletin, the school said: "I am sure you are all aware that we are going through an unsettled period at the moment. Miss Readman is currently off school and the governors have reluctantly asked Mountain View Childcare to move out of our school building as, due to rising pupil numbers, we need the space for the school to develop and grow."

It is understood the move left the social enterprise without time to seek alternative premises.

The school's headteacher Teresa Readman is listed on Mountain View Childcare's website as one of its directors but it is understood she recently left that position.

The closure will affect 54 families who currently use Mountain View Childcare, along with parents of youngsters who had been lined up to join the nursery in September. Five jobs will be lost.

Manager Clare Child confirmed the service would close on Wednesday to allow staff to wind it up before the summer holidays.

She added: "I'm determined to keep things normal and as positive as possible for the children in our care up to July 18 and not let anything affect the good standard of care and education we have always given them.

"We would like to thank all of our families, both past and present, for their custom."

Among those affected by the closure is Vicky Smyllie. Her daughter Felicity, three, was due to be joined at Mountain View by sister Jennifer, one, at Christmas.

Mrs Smyllie has now secured Felicity a place at Fairfield, but Jennifer cannot go there until Christmas next year.

She said: "I'm devastated. Felicity was happy there and Jennifer was looking forward to it.

"We have written letters of complaint to St Joseph's and we haven't heard back. They could have handled it better."

Dani Halfpenny's daughter Callia, four, attends Mountain View and was due to use the after-school club from September.

She said: "Now I don't know where she's going. I'm very angry that it's been done the way it has. I feel let down."

Fiona Walker's twins Ruby and Ella, four, have attended Mountain View Childcare for two years so Fiona and husband Wayne could work.

They were due to move to St Joseph's in September, returning to Mountain View after school.

She said: "Clare and the other staff have been part of their lives for the last two years. It's devastating.

"It's like an extended family and it feels like that extended family has been taken away."

Mrs Walker had now secured places at Fairfield Primary School. She understands that five of the seven children who had been due to move in St Joseph's reception class in September are now going elsewhere.

Sharon Varty has now got a place for son Parker, four, at Fairfield, and will have to find a new nursery for his brother Hunter, who was due to start at Mountain View in September.

She said parents were assured by the school on June 27 that their children could visit Mountain View if they had trouble settling into reception.

She said: "I'm distraught. It's disrupted everything. It's confusing for Parker.

"Hunter had also made a bond with Clare and Susan so his transition into nursery would have been so much less stressful. Now I am going to have to phase him into his new nursery which will have an effect on both Hunter and my job."

A school spokesman said: “St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School is growing and requires extra classroom space to meet the needs of pupils. Regrettably this has meant that the school has had to serve notice to Mountain View Childcare to end the current rental agreement they have with the school.

"We recognise the disruption that this will cause for parents with children attending Mountain View but unfortunately we have no choice if we are to be able to accommodate all our pupils from September.”