‘Panicked’ parents at an after school club are appealing for mums and dads seeking childcare to enrol their kids in the group to prevent it from closing.

Just Kidding in Brookscroft Road, Walthamstow announced last week it is facing closure due to dwindling numbers.

Families were given five weeks’ notice to make alternative childcare arrangements but parents say they are struggling to get their youngsters into another club that suits their needs.

The club rated ‘good’ by Ofsted earlier this year runs from 3.30pm to 6.30pm Monday to Friday, which, unlike many other clubs, accommodates parents who finish work at 5pm.

Bhakti, a HR manager whose five-year-old son Veer attends the club, commutes to and from Mile End daily.

The 37-year-old said: “I got the news on Monday and on Tuesday morning I was in my manager’s office trying to renegotiate hours.

“I felt like the bottom of my world had fallen out. I have hit a brick wall. I called every afterschool club in the borough and they are all full.

“When I drive home from work it depends on what the A12 has in store for me - it could take me half an hour or three hours.

“I’m just hoping there are enough parents out there who need childcare and have not heard of Just Kidding because I have no doubt that there is a demand for these clubs.”

The club, which was set-up 10 years ago, has trained staff who collect pupils from nearby schools and provide meals and help them with their homework.

The primary school pupils are involved with a range of activities such as baking, sports and arts and crafts.

Management at the club says numbers have been steadily falling since last Easter and although a new influx of children came this month, it is not enough to keep them afloat.

Account manager Leonora Peralta sends her five-year-old daughter Amber to the club every day.

The 39-year-old said: “I can afford to pay a few extra pounds but it is the times I am worried about.

“If I leave work at 5.30pm I can pick her up. I work in an industry that is not very mum-friendly and it’s not always possible to go part-time.

“It’s heart-breaking and we will struggle if they do close.”

Belinda Adu whose daughter Olivia attends the club is “extremely saddened” by the news.

She said: “Once the realisation set in that the club was closing, I have to say that my knee jerk reaction was to say no - we as in the parents who rely on the club and whose children enjoy attending couldn’t let this happen.”

Justina Forristal said the lack of pupils doesn’t reflect the “high quality” care her children, aged four and six, receive from the “warm and friendly” staff.

She added: “It would be a total nightmare if this great provision closes down purely because people don't know about it.”

Club manager Wendy Cooper said: “The numbers have fallen due to children moving on to secondary school and parents moving away from the area.

“We are reaching out to schools and canvassing and we will not give up without a fight.

“It’s so emotional for me but I really do think we can turn this around.”

For more information about Just Kidding call Wendy on 07876682469.