AN UNDER-construction pre-school in Thornbury is desperately trying to raise £125,000 in order to build its new home.

First Step pre-school, which has been in the process of creating a new building on the grounds of Crossways Infants School, is appealing to individuals and businesses in the area to help them piece together the funds they need to avoid closure.

Funding for the group’s new base, who also operate at Christ the King Primary School, was kicked off with a £225,000 grant from the Department for Education, which the Pre-school expected to amount to 75 per cent of the cost as they would be tax exempt from being a registered charity.

But the government grant was under the proviso that they would be up-and-running by September, and the cash failed to arrive until March, giving them a very short turnaround to get building.

Shortly afterwards, they also learned that they would not qualify for tax exemption, sending the cost of the project skywards, and following efforts to cut their costs by £50,000, the project adds up to £350,000.

Now against the clock, the building committee, which consists mostly of parents and volunteers, are appealing to the community to help them raise the £125,000 they need.

“We are close to the wire already,” said Charlotte Summers, First Step’s special needs coordinator, who also serves as a parent on the building committee.

“If we don’t get the money, we don’t open the pre-school. It is as simple as that.

“It is a lot of money we have yet to raise, the kind that we cannot just collect from standing on the high street with a pot.”

Concerned by the initial reaction from the public on social media after announcing they had run out of money, Ms Summers highlighted the sudden time limit they were forced to work towards, and pleaded for the community’s understanding and help.

“Currently we are trying to find grants from local business that we can apply for,” she said.

“If anyone out there knows of any companies that might be able to help us, if they work for them or just know through other people, we are desperate to hear from them.”

A Department for Education spokeswoman said: “The department has supported the growth and the creation of additional childcare places to deliver the 30 hours free childcare for families across the country.

"In 2016 we ran a £100 million early years capital bid programme and almost 400 projects were successful.

"We are working with local authorities to ensure projects are completed within the deadline.”

To get in touch with the pre-school, email crossways@firststeppreschool.co.uk