Yobs ransacked a pre-school forcing it to close on only the second day of term.

Playtime Under 5’s had been due to hold its second introduction day for new pupils yesterday.

But staff had to tell parents to keep their children at home after raiders broke in to the building in Saxon Road, Hove, stealing toys and games.

Thieves smashed a ground floor window, leaving broken glass across the floor.

A laptop, children’s toys, games and food were all taken from the playgroup.

Maureen Crookes, who has run the school since 1987, said she was shocked at the level of damage.

She said: “I feel very angry, obviously upset and very shocked. I came in and it had been ransacked.

“A laptop has been taken and lots of children's games and other new things I had brought in that's gone.

“The kitchen cupboards have been emptied. It's just ridiculous.”

Twenty-four children had been due to start their first and second day of school at Playtime Under 5’s.

Mrs Crookes, who lives locally, discovered she had been burgled after her deputy Sue Padden noticed the damage whilst walking her dog yesterday morning.

Mrs Crookes said: “They just took silly little things like presents we had from parents and things we had left over from a party.

“It was obviously just things they could carry. It is a lovely area to be in. This is just so unfortunate.”

It is the second time in two years that yobs have smashed their way into the Saxon Road centre.

Last year raiders made off with petty cash from cupboards.

Despite the scale of the damage and the number of items stolen Mrs Crookes said she was determined to reopen the centre on Monday.

She said: “I might have to do a quick shop over the weekend to replace things but we will definitely be open even if I have to stay here until midnight.

“I just hope the police will catch them. ”

Sussex Police scenes of crimes officers (SOCO) examined the school yesterday afternoon.

A police spokeswoman said anyone with any information about the incident should phone Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999.