A VILLAGE pre-school has accused councillors of putting the future of a building above the education of children after they voiced concerns about plans for its new purpose-built centre.
Moulton Harrox Pre-School is hoping permission will be given for an extension at the village school so it can move from its existing home at the village hall.
As well as catering for pre-school children, it hopes the new building would allow it to offer a breakfast, after-school and holiday club for primary school age children.
But at a meeting of Moulton Parish Council last week, members agreed to object to the proposals for fear of the Victorian-era village hall falling into disrepair and being lost if the pre-school moved out, saying the pre-school already has a suitable building.
Karen Seekins and Yvonne Fones, joint owners of the pre-school, claim the 12-year-old village hall is not suitable as it does not have “free-flow” outdoor space and children have to cross a busy car park to access its outside play area.
They also say the new building on the John Harrox Primary School site would improve safety for youngsters as they would not need to leave the school premises to access the after-school club.
They said: “We would question Moulton Parish Council’s knowledge and understanding of the childcare regulatory frameworks, in suggesting what is deemed to be a suitable building for an educational environment and whether a building should be given priority over our children’s education and welfare.”