THE manager of a nursery closing on Christmas Eve is on a mission to set up a replacement for its despairing parents.

Emma Whiteley, the manager of Hillside Nursery in Moorside, says its closure is 'a disaster for the community'.

Owner MiChild says places at other nurseries have been offered to all parents.

But Emma thinks these nurseries are not all accessible to the parents, who depend on the one on their doorstep.

READ MORE: 'Disaster' strikes as two Oldham nurseries to close before Christmas.

Thanks to an anonymous sponsor, Emma is now in a position to set up a nursery of her own.

All she needs is somewhere to put it, with MiChild asking too much for the site of Hillside Nursery on Sholver Lane.

She said: "I'll run it, I'll take all the responsibility. I've got the money."

"Every single parent wants to come with me. They're fully supporting me."

Lucy Wood, who has sent three-year-old daughter Lily to Hillside since April, is one of the parents supporting Emma.

She told The Oldham Times that it was a struggle to secure a spot at the nursery, and that there is 'nowhere' else.

She said: "Lily's got nowhere she can go until she goes to school. They've taught her so much.

"She's potty trained, she can use a knife and fork. In these few short months.

"She was non-verbal as well and she's speaking now.

"It's just so sad. They're brilliant."

Robert McConkie, who has used Hillside for pre-school and after-school care for two daughters, said the same.

He described the eight-year-old daughter who still went to it as 'devastated'.

He said: "I'm struggling to find anywhere to send her.

"She loved the staff. It's so upsetting for all of them."

A spokesperson for Oldham Council said it is not aware of a lack of places at nurseries in Moorside, or in Werneth where MiChild is also closing Park Nursery.

However, the spokesperson also said the council will work with anyone who is trying to set up nurseries in these areas.

They said: "Our immediate priority is to support parents of children affected by nursery closures to find alternative childcare for next term.

"We are not aware of an immediate shortfall of places for two, three or four-year-olds in St James (Hillside), or for three and four-year-olds in Werneth (Park).

"We are keen to work with all interested parties to establish new early years provision to meet any unmet demand in the area served by these two nurseries."

If you are able to help Emma, contact The Oldham Times on editorial@theoldhamtimes.co.uk.