A PRE-SCHOOL which lays claim to being the longest-running in town is preparing to close its doors at the end of the year, due to low government funding.

Trustees at Princess Street Pre-School, which operates out of the rear of Knutsford Methodist Church on 'top street', reluctantly took the decision last week to prepare for closure and inform parents.

The school is registered to take up to 20 children from ages two to school years, with weekday sessions running from 9am to 3pm during term time.

Ali Comline, pre-school manager, said: “With great sadness Princess Street Pre-School has announced it will be closing in December 2017.

“Princess Street was established in 1972 making it the longest running pre-school in Knutsford.

“This lovely pre-school has seen many Knutsford families pass through its doors and its ‘gentle start to schooling’ ethos has provided the perfect start to education for many of our children.

“Over the 45 years the pre-school has evolved from being a playgroup, to the professional setting it has become today, Ofsted rating ‘Good’.

“The trustees have made this decision due to financial circumstances and the low rate of government funding meaning that our setting is, unfortunately, no longer financially viable.”

A new Government policy, introduced this month, entitles all three and four-year-olds in England to 30 free hours of childcare a week, up from 15 hours - a move which was met with concern that nurseries will not get enough public funding to cover the costs of providing these places.

Princess Street’s team of six staff have expressed their sadness at the decision.

You can contact the pre-school on 07949 169804, or at princess.st.preschool@gmail.com