THE HEARTBROKEN owners of a preschool that has run for 19 years has revealed how an Ofsted rating led to the decision.

Little Learners Pre School on Cockshute Hill, Droitwich, will officially close for good this month after receiving a Requires Improvement Ofsted rating. 

Sharon Hunter, the owner, said the pre-school's rating has destroyed her business because it will now miss out on crucial government funding to keep them afloat.

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Mrs Hunter said: "I am upset as I am not retiring and it being my choice to close.

"But I'm being forced to close from one person who has come in and given us a [Ofsted] rating like that.

"It has destroyed my business. We were doing really well and thriving - not one of the parents has said a bad thing."

She added the school was previously rated Outstanding before its latest assessment in March.

Ofsted found the school requires improvements in its quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.

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It said the school would need to ensure staff have a clear understanding of what it wants the children to learn, ensure assessments are accurate and precisely identify what children need to learn next and improve the monitoring of staff practice to identify weaknesses swiftly.

Local Authorities can change funding from pre-schools if they receive a Require Improvement or Inadequate rating.

Worcestershire Children First will consider removing 2-year-old funding from preschools if a provider receives a judgement of Requires Improvement.

Mrs Hunter joined the business when it was first set up 19 years ago and decided to officially buy it 11 years ago. 

However, she said the industry has changed drastically since she began.

"It has been an incredible journey," she said.

"I came into the business unqualified with just my level one and two, and then I progressed to manager and then brought the place 11 years ago.

"It has changed so much and has been almost impossible to fund anything, which is a huge same.

"I do not charge extra for things because it is not about the money but for the children."

Looking to the future, Mrs Hunter said she would reevaluate and think about what is in store for her.

She said: "After 19 years of doing this, it is heartbreaking, and I don't know if I want to do this anymore."

Little Learners Pre-School will close officially on Tuesday, July 18.