A LONG-established preschool and playgroup, formed over 50 years ago, is now at risk of closure due to low attendance numbers.

Long Preston Preschool and Playgroup is dealing with ever-increasing weekly running costs which, combined with significantly reduced income due to low attendance numbers this September and a large year group moving to school this time, has resulted in the setting being hugely financially challenged.

A fundraising page has been set up to raise money to keep the facility open.

Manager and Long Preston resident, Katie Rothera, said: "When we’ve had small year groups in the past we’ve been able to rely on our hard-fought reserves, but these have been depleted during the pandemic and through the recent cost-of-living crisis. It’s just really unfortunate timing."

The preschool has until Friday, July 22 to secure its future. The committee is asking for as many potential users of the setting to get in touch to express their interest to provide evidence for the need of the preschool to the local community. Just one or two more children signed up for September or even January would make a huge difference to the financial situation, management says.

As a charity, the preschool is run by a committee of volunteer trustees, most of whom are parents of children currently in attendance. The staff and committee have been working hard together to cut costs as much as feasibly possible, while maintaining quality and safety in the setting, and have reached out to a variety of sources for support, but have so far been unable to breach the deficit in funds created by the low attendance figures for September.

The trustees are hopeful that if the fundraising target of £5,000 can be met that the amount may allow the setting to remain open for another term or two. At that point they hope attendance may have increased and the financial situation may have stabilised.

Supporters can also help by purchasing raffle tickets (available from Long Preston Post Office, The Black Horse in Hellifield, and the preschool itself via email/Facebook). Prizes have kindly been donated from a variety of local companies

For more details, please contact Long Preston Preschool and Playgroup on longprestonplaygroup@hotmail.com or 07583 607093.

Donations to the fundraising page can be made at: https://gofund.me/21a70131. Any money raised, if not enough to allow the facility to remain open, will be donated to other village charities.