STAFF at a Yarnton pre-school have spoken of their delight that they will be able to welcome more children when they move into a bigger building next year.

Yarnton Pre-School, based on the site of William Fletcher Primary School in Rutten Lane, has had a planning application accepted by Cherwell District Council to build a new purpose-built facility on the playground behind the primary school.

After 20 years on their current site, building for the new pre-school is set to start in January.

The existing building and outdoor play area will then be taken over by the primary school.

About 50 children are on the pre-school’s roll.

Chairwoman of Yarnton Pre-School committee Hannah Battye said: “Obviously we’re delighted that we can now progress with the new building, which is going to provide new opportunities, not just for us but for the rest of the community to use.

“We will be using the site during the day but there will be lots of groups who will be able to use it in the evenings.

“We have a long waiting list at the moment and this will help people who have been left disappointed in the past.

“We’re grateful for the money that the county council has provided.”

Funding of £150,000 has been provided by the county council, but the pre-school will have to fundraise the rest of the money needed.

It is hoped that the new building will be completed and ready to use by September next year for the start of the new school term, but new contractors are needed for building work to begin.

The new pre-school will be able to accommodate more children and their families, and will feature a larger indoor play area including wet play and quiet areas as well as new modern kitchen, toilet and office facilities.

Outside there will be a large waiting area for parents and a playground with new equipment and a ‘mud kitchen’.

Oxfordshire County Council released its Pupil Place Plan 2015-2019 in July, which details how more school places will be provided in the county over the next four years.

It said that recent housing development, population growth and new free early education for some children from the age of two had put pressure on the availability of pre-school places in Yarnton.