A NURSERY which has been at the heart of Tranent for more than a decade will close its doors next month.

Wee Scones Nursery, on the town’s Haddington Road, announced on Sunday that it would be shutting after July 3 due to “unforeseen and personal family circumstances”.

The announcement has sparked discussion on social media from worried parents, who are concerned about where their children will go to nursery.

A letter, dated June 3, was sent out to parents and carers.

It read: “It is with sadness that we are writing to inform you that, after 15 years in business, Wee Scones Nursery has decided to close its doors due to unforeseen and personal family circumstances.

“We would like to express our gratitude for your business and support over the years.

“We have seen hundreds of children progress and develop while in our care, and along with their smiling faces this has been an absolute pleasure.

“Our last effective day of business will be Tuesday, July 3.

“Until that date we will continue to provide the same safe and stimulating environment for your children as we always have done.”

The letter continues: “We will be formally advising East Lothian Council of our decision to close the business, and for funded children they will be able to assist you in finding another nursery.

“We will also be contacting the remaining partnership nurseries with a view to hopefully one of them taking on the business and will of course keep you informed of any further developments on that front.

“As we are sure you will understand, this has not been an easy decision to make and not one that we have taken lightly.

“We hope that you can appreciate this and respect our privacy surrounding our reasons for making it.”

Tranent/Macmerry/Wallyford councillor Colin McGinn told the Courier that he was “really disappointed” by the decision.

He said: “There has been some social media stuff and I can see the impact it has had on a lot of young families, who are quite distressed by it.

“There is work with a lot of colleagues going on in the background.”

Mr McGinn’s Labour colleague Iain Gray, East Lothian MSP, added: “I have been made aware of the letters received by parents and staff at Wee Scones.

“Clearly this will cause great difficulty for parents, especially those who depend on the place to work.

“I have already contacted the council to see what can be done to help plug the gap in provision this is going to create.”

A council spokeswoman said: “We are currently working with parents to find alternative places in local authority nurseries or other partnership centres.”

The nursery provides care to up to 45 children.