A daycare centre on Grosvenor Road in West Belfast dismissed six members of staff and withdrew services from 15 families with immediate effect. The actions took place after the evening of April 30, when families received emails stating their children could no longer attend starting May 1.

The facility, Acrewood Daycare, counts Father Patrick Devlin of Hannahstown Parish among its owners and operators. Staff received notice of redundancy with less than one week's warning.

Families reported picking up their children on April 30 without any prior indication of changes. The sudden notice disrupted work arrangements due to lack of alternative childcare options.

Parents noted contracts that required one month's notice for ending placements. They have sought contact for refunds and deposits without success.

West Belfast People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll addressed the situation after speaking with affected staff and families. He called for accessible childcare for parents and fair conditions for workers.

Carroll stated that dismissals with less than 24 hours' notice to parents and abrupt layoffs to staff were unacceptable and potentially violated employment law. He said management must provide an explanation and details of efforts to avoid the outcome.

Acrewood Daycare did not respond to requests for comment.