A NEW preschool building in Thornbury that some feared would not see completion has finally been finished.

The new home for First Step Preschool, on the grounds of Crossways Infant School, faced an uncertain future last summer after work was stopped when funding for the project ran out.

The group had been given a £225,000 grant from the Department for Education, what the preschool expected to amount to 75 per cent of the cost, under the proviso that they were ready to open at the beginning of September.

But the cash failed to arrive until March last year, resulting in a short turnaround for construction, and then they learned that despite being a registered charity, they would not be tax exempt, meaning the project would cost them £350,000.

But following intervention from South Gloucestershire Council and Thornbury and Yate MP Luke Hall, the project got back on track, with the council backing the project by taking ownership of the building to fund the shortfall.

With the building complete, it means the preschool, once moved in, will be able to double the number of places it offers, as well as supporting the Government's 30-hours of free childcare policy to support working families.

“We are all absolutely delighted that the building is finished with the help from South Gloucestershire Council,” said First Step chairman Geoff Chappell. “We are all looking forward to moving in and increasing the number of places we can offer for preschool education in Thornbury.

“It couldn’t have happened without the help of the local authority, they pushed it forward and we got what we wanted.”

The preschool is now negotiating the terms of lease with SGC, and once that has been completed, they can officially move into the site.

Cllr Toby Savage, South Gloucestershire Council deputy leader and cabinet member for education, said: “First Step Preschool has done a tremendous job getting the project so far and I’m pleased that the council has been able to help get the building work over the finish line.

“Officers in the council’s property services department are now working closely with the preschool to agree a lease ready to move in to this great new facility for the town.”

Mr Hall added: “I am delighted to see the build now complete, and that soon extra spaces will be made available to working parents in the Thornbury area.

“The Government is delivering on its 30-hours free childcare agenda, so I am delighted that this is being built upon right here in South Gloucestershire.

“The committee, and parents have done an amazing job of working with myself and the community to see this delivered.”