A pre-school which has been running for almost 50 years is at risk of closing.

Eccles Pre-School in Bull Lane, Aylesford, has started a JustGiving page after struggling with the impact of the cost of living crisis.

The school runs out of the Methodist Church Hall and looks after children from age two to five.

It is a committee-run pre-school managed by parents, grandparents and residents, as well as being a part of the Pre-School Learning Alliance – a national education charity.

Amy Mckirdy, whose three-year-old daughter Ava attends, says it is an "integral part of the community".

"This is devastating for the village, the parents and staff, but mostly the children," she said.

"I am a key-worker and rely on this childcare to enable me to work. Ava has been there since she was two and my son went before her.

"Both have loved every second there and the current staff are lovely, caring, incredible and hardworking people who are a big part of her life.

"The children not only learn invaluable early years education, but importantly make their friends here who invariably then go onto the local school together."

Fundraising would usually take place throughout the year to keep a steady amount of money for the school to run.

However, due to Covid and the cost of living crisis, no such events have taken place.

Duncan Rowe's four-year-old granddaughter, Everly State, attends the pre-school.

"It's so important to have early stage learning," he explained.

"Everly has made friends during her time there and is looking forward to moving up through primary school with them.

"They do painting, reading and lots of interaction with other children – she loves it.

"The school also helps my daughter, who has met other mums and they all get on very well."

He says that at least 24 families would be affected if it were to close.

Duncan added: "This is a lovely village asset. It would be an absolute travesty if it was lost."

The cost per session for children up to three years old is £15, which is paid by the parents.

After they turn three, the school can claim funding from the government, which allows them to provide 15 to 30 hours each week of free education and childcare.

Naomi Ruth, Eccles Pre-School manager, said: "The staff really care about the children even when they leave to go to primary.

"The village has no other pre-school and due to some parents not driving we are their only childcare provider.

"We also have strong links with the local primary St Mark's. The children love coming in and most would love to come everyday."

The committee has now set up a JustGiving page with aims to raise enough funds to save the facility, and so far more than 30 people have donated.

One donor said: "Happy to help. My boys are 40+ now but started their young life in the pre-school."

Click here to visit the JustGiving page.

In the first week of the fundraiser, the pre-school received more than £800 of its £5,000 target.