CHILDREN have been left in “floods of tears” while their parents have been struggling with sleepless nights after a popular nursery chain announced its closure.

As previously revealed by the Glasgow Times, Rising Stars is to close all of its childcare facilities at the end of this month with some families whose children attended the zero to two-year-old baby rooms given just 11 days' warning.

Parents have now told how they’ve had to cut their hours, rearrange university placements and call in family as they scramble to find alternative nursery spots.

Ashley McCulloch, whose daughter was in the three to five-year-old room, said: “Leigha’s had friends since day one but the closure has resulted in her losing out on graduating with her friends as they have went to other nurseries – it’s really sad and heartbreaking.

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“The whole thing is a shambles.”

Paige Smith said she first heard rumblings the nursery was in trouble as early as last year.

She quickly contacted owners Jobs and Business Glasgow (JBG) after staff informed her they weren’t aware of any issues.

The mum-of-two, was informed her daughter’s place was safe and the Blairtumnock nursery was not due to close – only to find out weeks later that it was, indeed, to shut.

The East End facility will join Crownpoint, Gorbals, Pollok, plus Govan and Calton afterschool care centres are all expected to shut by March 31 with several rooms already closed.

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Paige said: “It’s not that easy to find childcare and some of the parents have just found out last week. It’s been a nightmare.”

She added: “It was a great wee nursery, but the communication has been awful.”

Amy Walker was left with no option but to contact her mother in Ireland to help with childcare for her two daughters.

She said: “I’m from Ireland and my husband is from England so we’re here with no one.

“They brought us in on February 6 and told us the baby room would be closing in 11 days and then the bigger room next month.

“We both work full time but I’m also studying so, with the stress, I’ve had to get my mum over to help and have a six-week extension on my placement. It’s completely messed me up financially because it delays me getting a qualified job while, at the same time, we were also faced with much more expensive childcare.”

Glasgow City Council’s early years' team has been working with parents to help find suitable placements for children and has encouraged worried families to get in touch.

A JBG spokesperson said: “We apologise for any inconveniences we know the closure of the service will have on families.

“The business case review has been taking place for some time now and a search for a private childcare provider to take over the brand and estate has been unsuccessful in the current climate.

“It is unfortunately not viable to keep operating as a going concern.

“We are working with Glasgow City Council early years colleagues to support our families to help find alternative provision across the city.

“No employee will be facing compulsory redundancy and we will work with colleagues to find suitable alternative roles.”