Ofsted guidelines which came into force in September say pre-schools should be able to give children the opportunity to play and learn outdoors every day.

Brington and Whilton Pre-School is one of those being forced to move to new premises at a cost of up to £60,000 after 25 years at Whilton Village Hall.

The pre-school will now move to a building at Brington Primary School in Little Brington but must raise the funds for a new building and the move through donations, grants and fundraising events.

It will also have to design the new building so it is in keeping with the Grade II-listed primary school on the Althorp estate.

Pre-school supervisor Jenny Holman said: “It’s quite sad because the pre-school has been there [the village hall] for 25 years.

“It started as a mums and tots group, then a playgroup and now it’s a pre-school.

“Obviously the village hall will be affected – other community groups use it, but we bring in a lot of money.”

Tabitha Cowen, from the pre-school, added: “Pre-schools will be forced to move out and take on possibly more expensive premises.”

As part of the move to Brington Primary School, the pre-school is looking at a environmentally-friendly log cabin design which hopefully would meet the criteria for the historic character of its new home.

Barbara Lomas, headteacher at the primary school, said: “The move will benefit the school, the pre-school and the community as a whole. We serve families from Duston, Weedon, Norton, Harlestone and surrounding areas, so being able to drop the children at one place and know there will be continuity of care as the children move to the school is a great way forward for us.”

Anyone who can help raise funds for the new pre-school can call Ms Cowen on 07515 361883.