A PRESCHOOL in Oxford has been forced to shut due to funding pressures - and fears are growing that more could follow.

St Clement’s Pre-School will shut on December 14 after suffering 'financial challenges', and a nursery director has warned others could follow if the sector does not see more cash.

Last September the Government gave nurseries, preschools and childminders the chance to offer up to 30 hours of free childcare for three and four-year-olds, extended from the previous 15 hours.

Most have opted in as they could not compete with others if not, but the increase has come at a cost.

A statement from St Clement’s Parochial Church Council, which runs the preschool, said: "Changing pressures on all preschools, combined with a lack of volunteer capacity, financial challenges and low roll numbers, have been among factors that led to us making this difficult decision with a heavy heart.

"The preschool has been an important part of St Clement’s for many decades and we are grateful for the service and dedication of present and past staff and support of many parents.

"Our focus is on ending this term well and supporting and praying for staff and children during this time of change."

It pointed to pressure of 'more demanding' Ofsted regulation, introduction of free childcare hours, and longer hours worked by parents.

The preschool, which opened in 1987, runs at St Clement's Family Centre in Cross Street and was rated 'good' by Ofsted last year.

It educates children aged three to five but currently has fewer than 10 on roll, whose parents were told about the closure last week.

Rebecca Komene, whose four-year-old daughter Scarlett has attended since January, said she was 'shocked and saddened'.

The mother-of-two, who lives in St Clement's, said: "She has very much enjoyed her time [there] and her emotional wellbeing and physical development has benefited immensely, which I credit largely to the patient, kind and caring attitude of those entrusted with her care."

The 39-year-old said she felt the closure had been handled badly by the PCC, however, and it was 'immoral' to give such little notice.

She added: "In reports to the Charity Commission, the PCC states our parish as one of the poorest in Oxford.

"In the interests of the relief of poverty and advancement of education, I cannot reconcile how in good conscience the PCC can morally justify closing the preschool at such short notice, particularly so close to Christmas."

The PCC said it started consulting staff in October about closure, 'in line with good employment practice as rapidly as this allowed', and kept parents informed as consultation began and ended.

Government figures this month revealed the number of early years childcare providers in England dropped from 90,300 to 81,500 between 2016 and 2018.

The same data set revealed the average fee charged by Oxfordshire early education providers, for three and four-year-olds, was £5.25 per hour.

They are only given an hourly rate of £4.03 by the Government, via Oxfordshire County Council, to fund that provision.

The Pre-school Learning Alliance, a national education charity, said it is seeing 'more and more providers being forced to close as a result of poor funding'.

Its website adds: "Many that remain aren’t sure whether their businesses can survive offering the 30 hours.

"If the 30 hour offer is to be truly free for both parents and providers, it must be funded properly."

Last year Sarah Steel, managing director of The Old Station Nursery, predicted the 30 hours policy could force nurseries to hike fees.

Ms Steel, whose firm has six nurseries in Oxfordshire, still has concerns.

She said: "Those who are unable or unwilling to change business model will find it very hard to survive as costs go up each year.

"You don't have to offer the 30 hours, but it's there for the taking and parents expect to be able to use it."

Though funding covers core costs of education, providers have to fund extras such as food, nappies and trips.

She added that there was a 'real danger' of producing a two-tier system, in which children whose parents cannot afford to pay for extras will lose out.

Minister for children and families Nadhim Zahawi stressed the

He said the Government is doing 'more than ever before' to support parents with childcare costs and is investing 'record amounts' to ensure children can access high-quality care.

Of the 30 hours policy, he added: "Independent evaluation of its first year showed it’s making a real difference to family life, with 78 per cent of parents reporting they had more money to spend."

The Government has pledged about £6 billion a year by 2020 on childcare support, including £3.5 billion this year on free early education offers.