WORKING parents left high and dry after a nursery suddenly shut its doors have been offered new places for their children.

The Old Station Nursery will open at Oxford Science Park in January, replacing The Oxford Nursery, which closed in July with just one week's notice for parents.

The Old Station Nursery chain already runs four other schools – including three in Oxfordshire – and has invested £100,000 into its new base at the science park.

It will cater for up to 75 children from birth to five years old whose parents work at the park or live nearby.

Managing director of the new nursery company Sarah Steel said: "Our new location at the science park will allow us to bring our ethos to Oxford.

"It will be beneficial not only for people in the surrounding area but for the many who work at the park.

"We wholeheartedly support parents who return to work and, if they wish, actively encourage them to come to the nursery during their breaks for breastfeeding or playtime.

"It's so refreshing that the nursery has the full support of the landlord as it's clearly important for the park.

"We can't wait to open our doors to our new children and their families."

The Oxford Nursery blamed a lack of funding from Oxfordshire County Council for its demise.

When it closed the science park's management team said it was searching for a replacement that could open as soon as possible.

The Old Station Nursery had been seeking to expand as Oxford is equidistant from two of its existing bases in Henley and Faringdon.

Oxford Science Park managing director Piers Scrimshaw-Wright said: "We warmly welcome Sarah and her team.

"We have been hugely impressed by Sarah’s spirit and drive to refurbish the nursery at the park to be up and running in time for the new year.

"The nursery is a vital amenity to the park and local area and we have worked hard to quickly find a new operator.

We will continue to support the nursery for the benefit of the children, parents and new staff."

The nursery will also bring jobs to the area, with Ms Steel recruiting positions including a nursery manager, deputy manager, room supervisors, cook, cleaner and apprentice.

There will be a five per cent discount for parents who work at the science park, which will also be available for those who work in the NHS, emergency services or military.