A PRE-SCHOOL is settling into its new home after surviving a closure threat.

The Mini Marvels pre-school had been running for more than 40 years at the Adult Community Learning building, in Rocheway, Rochford.

But the Essex County Councilowned building closed in December, forcing the pre-school to move or shut.

Stambridge Parish Council came to the rescue and the preschool recently moved into Stambridge Memorial Hall, in Stambridge Road.

Janine Gould, pre-school chairman, said: “We had no help from Essex County Council. We have done it all on our own. We came to a point where we had nowhere else to go.

“We had spoken to all the local schools and were close to going to King Edmund School, but that fell through.

“We then had a committee meeting and one of the parents suggested the Memorial Hall, so we contacted the parish council and the rest is history.”

Mini Marvels agreed a sixmonth extension to its county council lease last May.

But with the authority not making a final decision on the future of the group’s home until November, it decided to search for a new home in October – and it proved a wise move.

Parish council chairman George Ioannou has since worked with Mini Marvels to ensure a smooth transition, and is now keen on providing an outdoor play area for its 50 registered children.

Anita Sparrow, pre-school manager, said: “We have to thank George because we wouldn’t be here nowwithout his help.

“We worked really hard to build the reputation Mini Marvels had at our old home and we didn’t want to see that all go to waste.”

The county council closed the community learning building as part of a restructuring of itsbuildings and services which saw a new adult learning centre open in Rayleigh in September.

The parish council spent £30,000 on refurbishing its hall last year and the chairman is pleased to see it getting regular use.

Mr Ioannou said: “I take my hat off to the women of Mini Marvels. Their dedication to the children is amazing.

“They are so passionate about what they do and where the children are going to go in the future.

“I’m happy the hall is getting regular use as well.

“Previously, the walls were crumbling and we had vandalism – but now it looks great and it’s all secure.’’