The only pre-school group on a housing estate will close its doors tomorrow because of a £2,000 shortfall for wages and rent.

Kinder Kids, which caters for more than 20 under-fives on Brighton's Whitehawk estate, will be forced to shut at midday if the vital funds are not found.

The parent-run group based at The Greenhouse in Twineham Close, needs the money to pay for a trained supervisor and to pay the rent on the building. The playgroup has been funded by the parents who pay £3.50 a session for their children, but this is no longer enough to meet its running costs.

If it closes, supervisor Anne Kerwin says many of the children will be left with nowhere to go at an important stage in their social development.

She said: "Although there seem to be groups springing up all over the place for older children there is nothing on the estate for the pre-school age."

Many parents are now trying to get their children on to waiting lists for nursery schools elsewhere in Brighton but for some this is not an option.

Those who do not drive say it would not be possible to take their children to alternative playgroups further afield even if there were the places.

Kate Jeffries' daughter, Sianna, four, has special needs and attends the group. She said: "The group has supported Sianna's needs and it is going to have a bad effect on her if it closes. There is no other group for her to go to in the whole of Whitehawk."

Emma Smith's three-year-old, PJ, also relies on the group. She said: "The nursery should not have to close because it gives such benefits for parents and children.

"It doesn't cost as much as other nurseries and PJ has learned so much since he has been going there. There is nothing else for children his age in Whitehawk."

The group is in discussions with various organisations, including New Deal For Communities and the Education Action Zone, to try to get long-term funding but this won't help if it has to close because of a short term lack of cash.

Anne Kerwin said: "At the moment we have no funds at all after midday tomorrow. At that time the toys will have to be taken away and distributed to other groups if we cannot find the money."

If you can help Kinder Kids contact Lorraine Campbell at support group the Preschool Learning Alliance on 01273 773622.