A pre-school is issuing a last, desperate plea for help to find new premises after losing its original home almost a year ago.

Staff at Harrietsham Pre-School, near Maidstone, say they would be "devastated" if they were forced to close but "have tried everywhere with no success".

The nursery first came under threat of closure in February last year, after being given six months to move out of a classroom rented from a neighbouring primary.

Staff were "relieved" when they secure a temporary site - Hollingbourne Village Hall - although the rent was higher and families had to travel further.

But now, with this tenancy also running out, the 30-year-old nursery has no idea where to go after its final day there on Friday, July 31.

Manager Susan Snoad has spent the last year frantically searching for new premises, calling on the parish council, parents and residents for any suggestions.

One potential site in Stede Hill caught her eye, but planning permission for a new building was rejected due to the land being within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

A village resident offered to build a property on some of her own land for the pre-school to rent at an affordable price, however access was needed through a Harrietsham Parish Council-owned walkway.

In a letter to Mrs Snoad, the council said: "While the parish council wishes to fully support the group to secure their future in the village, the proposed location (a residential garden) is not considered appropriate for this type of development."

Refusing to give up, the pre-school called on Booth and Baldwin Trust, a charity for the children of the village. The organisation owns Booth Field which Mrs Snoad says would be "perfect".

However, trustees have been difficult to reach over past months and have now apparently rejected the proposal.

Residents have shared their concern that "a valuable resource for the welfare of villagers is receiving no help".

"It would be really devastating for us to have to close"

Jo Bradley, of Quested Way, said: "The pre-school is now on the verge of being homeless and facing closure but is still fighting. It would have been easy to throw the towel in and give up but they have continued to fight for the families and children of Harrietsham, who need the pre-school to remain open.

"Without this pre-school, many parents would be unable to find local, suitable and affordable childcare."

Mrs Snoad added: "We desperately don't want to close but we are out of options as we've tried everywhere we could think of and had no success.

"We have money in the bank which we could use to install a log cabin-style building if we could find land.

"With housing in Harrietsham and surrounding areas continuing to expand at a rapid rate, there are going to be even more children in the area needing childcare and we are the only pre-school facility who can offer totally free places for children in the village.

"We also look after vulnerable, disadvantaged and disabled children and I have to say, we do a very good job of it. At our last Ofsted inspection we were graded Outstanding in children's development and welfare.

"It would be really devastating for us to have to close."

Chairman of Harrietsham Parish Council Eddie Powell is hopeful there might still be a chance Booth and Baldwin could offer the nursery some land.

He said: "We are extremely supportive of preventing the closure of the pre-school and think the land owned by Booth and Baldwin would be a good idea. And we are supportive of children and their importance in the village.

"I would be more than happy to facilitate a meeting between the two parties to discuss how to move forward with this."

Booth and Baldwin has been approached for a comment.

Could you help Harrietsham Pre-School find a new home? Please email rtuffin@thekmgroup.co.uk

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