A FERNDOWN pre-school has doubled its capacity thanks to a brand new extension.

VIPs were welcomed to Hopscotch pre-school as part of a host of celebrations.

A large extension was built thanks to funding of £150,000 from Dorset County Council, £50,000 from East Dorset District Council and £30,000 from Synergy Housing.

The new extension has doubled capacity and created separate classrooms, which allows teaching to be targeted to different age groups.

A new, second garden with play equipment overlooking the heathland has also been created.

Lorraine Clark, manager at Hopscotch pre-school, said: “We’re so excited about the opening of our new classrooms, equipment and facilities and can’t wait to welcome new and existing children into the new-look pre-school”.

The pre-school was officially opened by Deputy Lieutenant Mrs Pam Donnellan, and dignitaries from the county council, district council, Synergy, Ferndown Town Council, police and representatives from the local community were also present.

As part of the extension, the pre-school has also created a multi agency meeting room, which will be used by other agencies to provide support for families on site.

Patrick Myers, head of business development at the county council, said: “I am delighted to see the extension at Hopscotch open its doors to young families in Ferndown.

"As with any new pre-school, we wanted to make sure the children that use it get access to the best possible educational facilities, and it certainly offers that.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has worked so hard in making this happen."

The pre-school provides education for children aged two and older following the Early Years National Curriculum.

Based at the back of the Heatherlands Community Centre, the school was rated as 'good' during its last Ofsted inspection.