Leahurst Road Pre-School is a small charity pre-school in West Bridgford led by a committee of parents.
They have been very proud and privileged to serve the local community for over 50 years.
They have been integral in offering affordable, flexible childcare firmly believing that every child has the right to have the very best start in life.
The preschool is renowned for its fully inclusive ethos and ability to offer those children with additional needs the care and support they are entitled to and ensure that every child that passes through the door grows with confidence and feels happy and secure, ready for their next steps.
Sadly, like many other similar settings, the preschool faces the prospect of imminent closure at the end of this term if significant funds are not raised.
The preschool is devastated at the prospect of not being able to provide this traditional committee-led preschool into the future.
Manger of the Pre-School, Mariam Aslanfard said:
“We are very sad and heartbroken to find ourselves on the verge of closure.
“We have an amazing staff team who are passionate about the job they do and provide excellent care for the preschool children.
“We are honoured to have served generations of families at the heart of West Bridgford and Edwalton, welcoming families and children from all backgrounds. Closure of the preschool would certainly be a loss for the community.”
The financial climate over the past few years has caused immense challenges for the preschool.
The continual increases in overhead costs, such as the minimum wage, combined with a real-term cut to income from government-funded hours has meant the preschool has been in a loss-making situation for some time now.
Coupled with the reduction in the number of children attending the setting primarily due to low birth rates, the preschool can no longer guarantee its long-term sustainability going forward.
Mel Ryack, a current parent at the preschool, said,
“The news that Leahurst Road Pre School is closing is just absolutely devastating.
“It is an incredibly special setting – the staff are all so experienced which shines through in the amazing support they give the children, and in the wide range of activities and experiences they offer.
“My son has absolutely flourished there, and I am very sad that other children won’t get the opportunity to experience it – it will be a huge loss to the local community.”
“While former parent Laura Backhouse feels very lucky to have experienced her boys attending the setting.
“I feel so lucky to have been able to send both my boys to Leahurst Road Preschool. Having been unsettled at his former nursery, my eldest son began to thrive within his first week at Leahurst.
“The staff are so caring and nurturing and I will always be eternally grateful for the amazing early years’ experience that the staff gave my boys, both from all the fun times they had but also for how well they got them ready for school.
“I’d be devastated if Leahurst Road Preschool was forced to close as they have done so much for the children that have attended”.
To be able to continue in September, the preschool needs two things: funds and children.
If you have preschool aged children and are looking for a nurturing and caring setting, please get in touch with the preschool.
And if you are a local business who is looking to donate funds and support our cause, the pre-school would love to hear from you.
Contact details:
Email leahurstroad@ntlworld.com
Telephone 07941 616369
• St Giles Preschool in West Bridgford faces imminent closure unless funds can be raised
