Peterborough Pre-school faces fight for survival after financial impact of coronavirus

St Michael’s Pre School in Stanground opened back in 1975 but now faces closure following financial knock-on effects of coronavirus.

Described as ‘another family’ by parents, many have said the pre-school closing would be a ‘travesty’.

For Sue Willner who has managed the pre-school since 2012, St Michael’s is more than just a workplace, it has been an integral paart of her family life.

Sue was inspired by her mum, Marion Jackson, who was one of the first women to work there.

She said: “It’s so hard to put 45 years into words.

“My mum inspired me to be everything I am today.

“The pre-school was a huge part of her life until she was forced to retire due to illness.

“It would be absolutely devastating to lose the pre-school after nearly half a century.

“It has been a huge part of my life for the last 45 years in one way or another.

“My grandson was due to start in April and it would be awful if we aren’t able to re-open our doors in September.”

The pre-school opened up to more children on June 20 having been closed since March 20.

For Sue and the team there was ‘some confusion’ as to what support the pre-school could access.

She said: “We rely on the demand for early year places and funds raised by the parents.

“It’s been a struggle for us this year; a new preschool opening nearby, rising costs, Covid-19 and diminishing funds.

“The week before we re-opened, we encountered another hurdle.

“Due to rising costs the church notified us of a substantial rise in hire fees which, combined with the other factors has questioned our financial sustainability.

“After 45 years in the community our future does not look bright.”

Having been the subject of fraud more than ten years ago, the pre-school relied at that point on the community to help them out of their ‘financial crisis’.

Sue hopes once more the community will rally behind them.

The preschool is raising funds through GoFundMe, here