​Save the preschool: This project aims to bring a community asset back to life providing early years education for Down Ampney and surrounding villages which will deliver genuine benefits to local children, parents and the economy.

Great opportunity: There is no local preschool in Down Ampney and minimal other local childcare options meaning parents must travel to other larger settlements to access childcare. However, there is a clear opportunity to address this need as a perfectly good unused portacabin exists on the site of Down Ampney school, which could provide an ideal location for an early years setting for the local area.

Dedicated and experienced team: Danielle Seatter has given up her role as Chair and previously Manager of Ashton Keynes Preschool and set up Little Explorers, a not for profit community company, to run a preschool in Down Ampney.  She is an experienced early years teacher with a track record of developing sustainable preschool provision.   Her expertise is vital to the success of the project and in consultation with parents she is shaping a nature-based preschool where children will be outside as much as possible.  Together with local volunteer Karen Powell they have been working for the last two and half years to prepare for reopening.

Costs of the project: In total the project needs £23,500 for building improvements to ensure the portacabin is well insulated and the preschool is welcoming and professional inside and out as well as for furniture, learning resources, training, marketing and a contingency fund to allow child numbers to build up slowly while we develop a strong local reputation.

Progress so far: We have already raised £5,000 through events and donations as well as securing a free kitchen from Parlour Farm.  We have £2,000 of planned fundraisers over the next two months.    We are in the middle of a promising £11,000 capital grant application but to be successful we need to demonstrate evidence that all project costs are covered.   We are currently £5,500 short.

Can you make a contribution?   It doesn’t matter how much or how little, everything will build up to help us to reach our target.

What if we don't raise all the money needed:   Fundsurfer will take your money and pass it to Little Explorers when the crowdfunding campaign closes. If we don't raise all the money needed to open the preschool via this crowdfunding campaign or any other route then we will get in touch with you to return your money. 

Registering interest to attend the preschool: there are 12 places available at the preschool if you would like to add your details to our no-fee, no-obligation waiting list then please follow this link http://thelittleexplorers.weebly.com/register.html

Spread the word: We need all the support we can get from the community for this project.​  Please do share this with other people or businesses that would be interested.