A VILLAGE pre-school faced with an uncertain future last year is going from strength to strength.

High Legh Pre-School Nursery, which has served the community for almost half a century, is thriving after moving to new premises on Pheasant Walk, High Legh.

Just over a year ago its future was in doubt when it found itself homeless.

The pre-school, a registered charity, had operated out of the nearby primary school, but when the school expanded it was no longer able to accommodate the group, leaving it just weeks to find a new home or face closure.

High Legh Village Hall came to the rescue at the 11th hour, providing a temporary home until new permanent premises could be found.

Just over a year later the pre-school children and staff are settling into their permanent new home on Pheasant Walk – a move made possible thanks to the commitment of staff, parents, the pre-school committee and the community.

Yvonne Edwardson, the nursery manager for 13 years, said: “There were times we thought we might have to call it a day.

“High Legh Pre-School Nursery has been part of the village for nearly 50 years, and we’ve seen generations of families pass through our doors, so the whole community has been so supportive of our bid to find a new home.”

The new home is Rosemead, a converted cottage with a large outdoor space in the heart of the village.

Parents, staff and the community rallied round to help convert the building, which is leased from the High Legh Estate, and set up the pre-school ahead of the official launch this summer, with £2,250 raised from crowdfunding alone.

Yvonne added: “The move to Rosemead represents a new era for our pre-school. The new building is fantastic, we have a wonderful outdoor space and the children love it.

“We’ve been able to take on additional staff, expand our opening hours to provide full day care, have more children than ever, and have exciting plans.

“I’d like to say a huge thankyou to all our staff, parents, committee, the community and Richard and Annie Cornwall-Legh, who have helped make this happen and helped us secure the future of our pre-school nursery.”

Following the move to new premises the nursery now offers full-time care from 8am to 6pm, 50 weeks a year, for children aged two to five.