A NEW school has opened offering a community extended care. Clifton pre-school spent the last 40 years at the village church but has now moved to new premises in the grounds of All Saints Lower School and been renamed The Woodlands. Mid Beds Council put

A NEW school has opened offering a community extended care.

Clifton pre-school spent the last 40 years at the village church but has now moved to new premises in the grounds of All Saints Lower School and been renamed The Woodlands.

Mid Beds Council put up part of the money needed for the project but over £15,000 had to be raised by the school committee.

Committee secretary Connie Eidmans said: "We did this through a village fun day, and cake, photograph and Christmas card sales. We also received support and donations from the entire village - the Byers and Smith families, Clifton Residents Association, the parish council and the dramatic society. The project has only been successful however due to a dedicated team of committee members all of whom are volunteer mums.

"The new premises will make a massive difference to the community. We now offer 8am - 6pm care for children from 30 months to nine years with a breakfast club, pre school sessions, lunch club, afternoon sessions and after school clubs. We now have an airy building which has designated areas of learning and a grassed outside play area where the children can exercise and enjoy the trees.

"We opened as planned despite all the elements conspiring against us. We had sun, torrential rain and snow all while we were moving our things. At one point our new fence was being erected while sinking into the mud!

"We are really proud of what we have achieved - not bad for a bunch of mums who also have little ones to occupy!