Parents looking for childcare after the closure of their town's day care centre are anxiously waiting to see what happens next.

Polka Day Care announced in October it was to shut down because the business was no longer considered viable.

Alpha Nurseries, which ran the centre in Polka Road, agreed to keep it open until an alternative provider could be found. 

But this proved unsuccessful and the centre is now closed.

On January 16 a crisis meeting was held involving the 40 parents who used the centre, town councillors, business representatives, North Norfolk MP Duncan Baker and county council cabinet member for children's services John Fisher.

Mr Baker said parents were “at the end of their tether wondering what they are going to do about their childcare.”

But he said the county council planned a recruitment drive to increase the number of childminders.

Fakenham & Wells Times: News of the centre's potential closure first emerged in October and prompted a host of concerns from families and staff who rely upon Polka Day Care. News of the centre's potential closure first emerged in October and prompted a host of concerns from families and staff who rely upon Polka Day Care. (Image: PA)

Mr Baker said: “The great concern is there are no immediate answers, so we now need to wait for the outcome of a number of conversations, and discuss the future with the county council.

“It is frustrating as we wish there was an easy solution.”

Although the county council does not run nurseries, it is responsible for making sure there are enough childcare places in Norfolk for the families who need them.

Fakenham & Wells Times: Duncan Baker, north Norfolk MP. Picture: Stuart Anderson

One of the parents affected is Helena Deakin.

Mrs Deakin has two children, a three-year-old who attends the town’s primary school nursey, and a six-month-old, who she is currently on maternity leave with.

However, the bank manager needs to return to work in July.

Mrs Deakin said: “I need to return to work to stay in my home - if I have no childcare come July, I do not know what I’ll do.

Fakenham & Wells Times: John Fisher, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for children's services

“The county council have suggested childcare in Holt - but that is an 80-minute round trip, plus I cannot leave work to go and collect my child, how can I keep a job if I have to do that? It just doesn’t work."

Mr Fisher said: “We are continuing to work closely with other childcare providers in Wells and the surrounding area to improve before and after school and school holiday provision.

“There is enough childcare provision in the Wells area for young children aged two, three and four. We would continue to encourage any families who need help to find a place for their child to contact our family information service on 0344 800 8020 or visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/fis."