A pre-school looks set to close as it faces an "unaffordable" rent rise, just months after being rated ‘outstanding’.

Morris Minors Pre-School received its best report ever after Ofsted visited on November 7, last year, with it being highly recommended by parents.

However, on February 27 a letter was sent out to parents warning them they may have to start searching for a new nursery to take their children.

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The building in Watford Road, Croxley Green, occupied by Morris Minors for over 20 years, is rented from charity Sea Cadets which informed the pre-school its rent would be increasing significantly.

As its income comes from set government funding, the Watford Observer understands Morris Minors simply cannot pay close to what was demanded.

Some parents have said they worry they will now struggle to find another pre-school.

Parent Laura Green said: “There won’t be enough places in the area if this happens.

“I’m worried how difficult it will be to find childcare and there might be a mad rush to apply for September, I think some places have already closed applications.”

Within the last 12 months another pre-school in Croxley Green, St Oswald’s, also closed.

She explained how parents love having their children at Morris Minors.

“It will be travesty for the pre-school to have to close when it brings so much to the community,” the mum added.

Watford Observer:

“I feel I am one of the lucky ones who has had the privilege of my son attending the pre-school, but I am extremely sad that so many future local children will now not benefit.”

The pre-school is on the lookout for a new location, but there are fears it may not find anywhere it can afford with the current level of government funding.

A spokesperson for the Sea Cadets said: "Sea Cadets is a national youth development charity. Each of our 400 units are also a charity in their own right.

“The trustees of each Sea Cadets unit holds a responsibility to ensure any use of its facility by a third party is at a fair market rate specific to the intended use.

“This ensures that the Sea Cadets charity is able to provide the best service possible for the young people it serves."