'Heartbroken' owners shut down preschool as company collapses

A PRESCHOOL and nursery has suddenly closed down after the company which ran it went into liquidation.

The owners of the Rainbow group in Highcliffe, Sue Taylor and Jacqui Waddock, an-nounced this week they were shutting the school at the Old School House, Lymington Road.

They had 24 children signed up to start the new term and say they are “absolutely heart-broken” at having to take the decision to close.

Speaking to the A&T, Mrs Taylor said: “We put our heart and soul into the nursery. Having to tell the kids and their parents that we were closing was just awful, even some of them were in tears.

“We have been overwhelmed by the messages of support and cards we have received from parents and former pupils. Rainbows is a very much loved part of Highcliffe.”

The building is owned by Highcliffe Residents’ Association (HRA).

In a statement, the HRA directors said: “We greatly regret that the Rainbow Preschool is unable to continue trading in accordance with the terms of its lease, because an educational activity is an appropriate use of the building. We will therefore have to look for new tenants for the premises.

“We are making the most urgent essential repairs to the building within our limited exist-ing resources, and we are holding discussions with a number of community organisations about the possible future uses for the building and adjoining land.

“As voluntary community representatives, we strive to ensure that the Old School re-mains an asset that can be used and enjoyed by the whole community. We will keep members of the HRA updated with any future developments.”

The news of the closure was met with shock and sadness, and a petition to save the nursery has been launched on website change.org.

The person who posted the petition wrote: “Absolutely in shock that Rainbow Preschool and Nursery in Highcliffe is closing. Such an amazing place for the children of our community.”