Hundreds of families face being left with no pre-school for their toddlers - because the only one left in their community could be closed by Christmas.

Parents in south Abingdon have already seen three pre-schools shut - and staff fear the only remaining one is about to suffer the same fate.

The Riverside Pre-School, in Caldecott Road, is facing serious financial problems, as well as a race against time to find a fully-qualified supervisor.

Wendy Winfield, chairman of the school, which currently has 70 youngsters on its books, said: "Because we can't afford to pay very much, we are having great difficulty in attracting a supervisor who is qualified.

"Social Services are allowing our two play assistants to run it (the school) in the short term but they will probably not let us run it that way after Christmas. They will shut us down." The school has also been rocked by news that its low rent has had to be increased by 200 per cent - and it is still awaiting the outcome of a grant application made to the Government.

Although other local organisations have helped out, the pre-school still needs to meet £2,000 running costs and youngsters took part in sponsored obstacle courses this week to try to do their bit.

Mrs Winfield said the one thing the pre-school cannot do is raise its fees - because that would alienate a sizeable proportion of the community it is trying to serve.

She said: "There are a lot of children in south Abingdon. It is a big community. To have no pre-school at all here would be devastating for local families - most of whom could not afford to send their children out of the area.

"It is so important to prepare children for leaving Mum."

South Abingdon had been the home to four pre-schools. However, The Park and South Abingdon Pre-Schools, as well as a group which met at the Preston Road Community Centre, have all now been shut after running into difficulties.

Mrs Winfield has been supported by her local MP, Evan Harris, who has helped The Riverside with its grant applications.

He said: "It is a major problem because, once they have closed, there will be no pre-school provision left for that community and that would be tragic."

He added: "It is absolutely vital children socialise earlier. It also allows their mothers to go to work."

Phil Hodgson, Oxfordshire County Council's Assistant Director of Social Services, said the final decision would be made by the Independent Inspection Unit, which was linked to the authority. The supervisor's position is currently being advertised. The group operates between 8.30am and 12.30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and until 3pm on Wednesdays.

The pay being offered is £5.50 an hour. For more details, phone Mrs Winfield on 01235 555154.

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