An 'outstanding' nursery is set to shut as its parent company leaves its Kent headquarters.

The Apples Nursery will close later this year due to Saga's decision to close its head office in Sandgate, near Folkestone

Rated 'Outstanding' by education regulator Ofsted two inspections in a row, the nursery provides Saga staff with cover for young children.

It operates out of Enbrook Park alongside the company's headquarters – but will shut following the company's move to regional hubs and home working.

Announcing the decision to shut the office from March 17, the company revealed that the site - designed and built to accommodate around 1,000 employees - currently sees approximately 120 people use the office more than twice a week.

Overall usage currently sits at approximately 17%.

In an email to Sandgate Liberal Democrat councillor Tim Prater, seen by KentOnline, the firm's CEO Euan Sutherland said the business will now "operate from a number of smaller office hubs with colleagues also able to work from home".

These hubs will include a current base in central London and two planned locations in Kent.

While the head office will close in just over a month's time, a spokesperson confirmed today that the nursery will remain open "over the coming months" to "main continuity of childcare" for parents.

"The nursery is due to close in August, after the summer holidays, and to coincide with new school term starting," he added.

The news of the nursery's destined closure has upset some residents, with one – who asked to remain anonymous – saying the company was "letting down staff once again".

"This closure will leave members of staff without childcare, and more than 60 children without a place to go," she added.

"Parents were not consulted prior to a decision being made and are now being told they have to find alternative childcare which will be at a far higher cost compared to the ‘subsidised’ nursery.

"This could well mean most new mums will be unable to return to work because of this decision, given that fees in other nurseries are now over double if not triple for staff."

In 2021 Saga applied successfully for 'prior approval' to convert the main building at Enbrook, which enjoys prime views over the village and English Channel, into around 60 flats.

Other properties, including the former HQ in the centre of Folkestone, Bouverie House, were also put up for sale as the impact of the pandemic reduced the need for office space.

The company has been unable to comment on the future of those satellite offices which went on the market, but says "discussions" remain ongoing.