A Spalding playgroup that has taught children for more than 25 years is to close next month, leaving worried parents in shock.
Lack of numbers is behind the decision by owner Kirsty Casey to close 345 Playschool based at Spalding United Reformed Church in Pinchbeck Road.
Parents learnt the shock news on Monday when they were handed letters from the owner in which she apologised for the “inconvenience and disruption” the playgroup’s closure would cause.
Emma Fathers (38), of Alexandra Road, Spalding, whose son Romeo (3) attends the playgroup, said: “The leaders gave us all a letter that said the playgroup was closing because numbers aren’t increasing and now we’ve got to think about where we can get places for our children.
“We’re all really sad because there’s a nice environment at the playschool, the leaders are brilliant here and they do their job so well.
“My son is really happy here and I don’t know how he’s going to react to the change of going to another playgroup.”
Another parent, Charlotte Parkin (30) of Park Road, Spalding, said: “My three-year-old son Lucas has been coming here for a year after a friend of mine told me about it.
“He really does like it at the playgroup because they settled him in so well that his talking and knowledge of colours has come on so much.
“I’ll have to find another playgroup for him soon because if I don’t, he could miss out on a place somewhere else.”
The playgroup began operating from its current base in 1985 and was taken over by Kirsty in September 2008.
An Oftsed report in 2009 praised staff for their commitment to providing children with opportunities to improve their knowledge and skills.