A PRE-SCHOOL hit by a fire could be reopened on Monday after an offer of alternative premises was made by the council.
On Thursday evening, firecrews were called to Ashridge Nursery in Norreys to tackle the blaze, forcing it to close suddenly.
The Wokingham Paper understands that throughout Friday, the nursery had been liaising with Wokingham Borough Council over finding alternative premises to use while work is carried out to assess the damage and the long-term effect it will have on the facilities.
Leader of Wokingham Borough Council, Cllr John Halsall, said: “We have gone to them to provide alternative accommodation at Brambles Children’s Centre
“We will also help them in other ways.”
The Wokingham Paper understands that the nursery is considering its options but some rooms at the Budges Gardens’ facilities are being reserved as a back-up.
Cllr Halsall said that it is thought that the damage to the premises was significant and the council had offered support from its contractors to help make the nursery reusable as quickly as possible.
And in a post on social media, representatives from the nursery has appealed for donations of toys, books and appropriate teaching materials to replace what has been lost.
Generous residents have pledged everything from office desks to fuzzy felt pictures, puzzles, books and toy tractors.
Two separate fundraising pages have been launched.
A JustGiving page launched to help the nursery has almost beaten its £1,000 target in just 48 hours.
Max Tuson launched this and, in his fundraising appeal, he wrote: “We hope in time the nursery will be restored to the wonderful happy place it is, but until then things will be tough for everyone involved.
“It caught fire, leaving everyone involved devastated please donate if you can to help them through this tough time.”
The second page, if via GoFundMe and is in support of the Ashridge Nursery Parents Association.
Anna Goodchild launched this appeal and has a personal reason for wanting to help.
“As a past parent and past committee member, I was deeply saddened to hear that the Nursery has been devastated by a fire on Thursday 12th September 2019.
“My daughter absolutely loved coming here in 2017 and I am forever thankful for the amazing start she has had to her education.”
Ashridge Nursery has been contacted for a comment.
