Preschool may be forced to close due to rising costs

"Everyone has a grandchild or child who went there."

Wargrave Preschool has been a "cornerstone of the community" in the 44 years since it opened, according to parent and fundraising manager Ffion Robinson-Jones.

But now, the school is at risk of closure unless it can raise £20,000.

"It would be absolutely devastating [if it closed]," said Ms Robinson-Jones.

Ms Robinson-Jones said the preschool, which has about 19 pupils, was struggling with rising costs, including utility bills and the cost of equipment such as stationary.

She also said there was falling demand, partly the result of falling birth rates but also because more parents were opting for wrap-around care.

As well as needing help with the day-to-day running of the place, the school also needs funds in order to upgrade - including improving facilities for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), which Ms Robinson-Jones hopes would attract more parents.

"It's not really moved with the times as much as I would have hoped," she said.

"We don't have the full scope of equipment we would like."

She said the money raised would also help give the "amazing" staff some security because they would know the preschool, which was rated Good at its last Ofsted inspection in 2019, was staying open.

"I feel for them, they don't have that full security of knowing whether they should stick around or not," she said.

"My daughter runs in, she doesn't even say bye. I know the quality of care in there is second to none... [the staff] deserve to feel valued and to flourish."

As well as setting up a crowdfunder, the school is also running a series of events to raise money, including a Christmas elf trail.

But Ms Robinson-Jones said the financial stress was a "cloud hanging over us".

"It's that constant, pit of your stomach dread that we're not going to quite get enough [money]," she said.

"There's potential for it to close down unless we get help from the council [or] help from the community."

Wokingham Borough Council's executive member for children's services, Prue Bray, said she was "fully committed to ensuring that there are enough high-quality childcare places available" and that Wargrave Preschool was currently receiving advisor support to help improve and sustain its services.

"We remain dedicated to working alongside providers to ensure the sustainability and improvement of early years provision across the borough," she said.

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