Dismay over closure of pre-school

Mainstream schools are not the right environment, say campaigners

Campaigners are fighting to save a pre-school which has helped hundreds of children with severe communication and language difficulties.

Laleham Gap, in Ramsgate, is due to close on Tuesday after Kent County Council said the service should move to mainstream education.

Councillor Chris Wells said research had shown the change would offer a greater sense of inclusion.

More than 1,000 people have signed a petition against the decision.

The nursery was opened in 1989, helping pre-school children to overcome speech and language problems.

If a child doesn't have language they are isolated in a mainstream environment Elizabeth Poole, founder

Denise Tucker, whose son Michael went to the school for five years, said the help he received had a great impact on his life.

"He came to the school very quiet and shy, and he left with a lot of confidence.

"He was able to go to mainstream nursery school and he's thrived ever since," she said.

Elizabeth Poole, who founded Laleham Gap, said campaigners were determined to fight to save it as mainstream schools could not offer the same environment.

"They may provide a one-to-one [relationship], but if a child doesn't have language they are isolated in a mainstream environment."

She added that the school had "offered early specialist intervention in an appropriate environment".

But Mr Wells said changing the service would be "of more value and more use".