A campaign is on to save a pre-school from closing after 53 years.

Users say that River Pre-School, in Common Lane, has money troubles caused by problems such as the pandemic, living wage increases and lower birth rates.

They pre-school's committee has now set up a crowdfunding page to help keep it going.

The message on it says: "We desperately need your kind donations.

"The pre-school has looked after generations of families.

"The ladies that work there are so dedicated to caring for the children of this community, and always have a smile and open arms ready for them.

"Please help us keep this gem in the community shining bright."

The page organisers are asking for donations to help with the centre's everyday running costs including helping buy toys for the children and helping pay staff wages.

The GoFundMe page was set up just yesterday (Tuesday) and by today had 71 people donating a total £2,985 out of a target of £35,000.

Other changes are being looked at to reduce outgoings and increase income.

These could be, for example, cutting staff overtime and asking parents to help contribute in payments for snacks.

The charity-run pre-school, based at River's Methodist Church Hall, was rated as outstanding by Ofsted at the last inspection in July 2019.

"It is a very unsettling time for us all..."

This grading was for overall and all the four sub-categories of effectiveness of leadership and management; quality of teaching, learning and assessment; personal development, behaviour and welfare, and outcomes for children.

River Pre-School now has 31 children and eight staff plus early years manager Sarah Wilding.

She told KentOnline: "It is a very unsettling time for us all.

"Due to many factors after Covid we have struggled to keep going. We have so much space for more children here however uptake has been slow.

"We are not the only setting struggling financially and others around us have closed and we do not want to be another on the list.

"With amazing community spirit, i have been truly humbled by the love and support we have around us. Lots of fundraisers are planned over the half term holiday.

"This shows just how much the community are standing by us, helping us keep open and focus on the children's future.

"We won't give up, we will keep raising money so we can continue to do the jobs we all love."

You can donate on the fundraising page by clicking here.

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