Hard to understand closure of Worthing's successful Little Oaks playgroup

I was so sad to read in your paper of the possible closure of the Little Oaks playgroup.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Mar 2016, 08:24 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 01:31 BST

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This group was established 25 years ago to serve the pre-school needs of Durrington families.

The area was fast developing and there was an acute shortage of playgroup places.

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Several like-minded people worked tirelessly to raise the funds needed to move and erect a surplus school hut onto land donated by Worthing Borough Council.

This was a true community project made possible with goodwill, hard work and dedication.

From the start it was a registered charity managed by a committee and highly regarded by the relevant authorities. Hundreds of children have had a happy introduction to school life through their time at Little Oaks.

Ten years ago, The Laurels School offered a surplus hut in their playground to Little Oaks.

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This was a huge dilemma for the committee and after much deliberation it was decided that to be on school premises and on a housing estate would benefit the families more than the original premises, and so the decision to move was made.

Since then, Little Oaks has always paid the required lease and operate happily with The Laurels School. It has surely, then, been an asset to the school.

Little Oaks operates on a very professional basis with excellent staff and Ofsted reports.

It is therefore difficult to understand what grounds the governing body of the school have for refusing to renew the lease. 25 years of expertise with pre-school and a team of highly qualified staff cannot be made homeless without an explanation.

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If the life of Little Oaks is to be terminated, let it be in a civilised manner that can be accepted.

June Smith

South Avenue

Goring

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