An innovative nursery school is hoping it can attain charity status to ensure its survival.

The Giving Tree centre in St. George's will hear early this week whether its application has been successful -- if it fails organisers fear the worst for the school which has grown with parent power.

Although the school has been a success in attracting very young children and after-school pupils, it has not achieved the numbers it desired among the older age range.

Donations have helped the venture to survive but permission to solicit for assistance is seen as vital to its survival.

Organiser Stacy VanPutten said: "If we don't get charity status it will be a devastating blow. We will definitely have to rethink.

"We could increase fees, but once you start putting charges up we could lose children.'' Their initial application was turned down in November but the school is hoping this time things will proceed smoothly.

Recently, Premier Jennifer Smith and fellow St. George's North MP Delaey Robinson visited the school. A scholarship fund has been established to help those pupils who cannot meet the fees.

The main age range of two to three years has not increased as expected but a nursery has opened for babies aged three to 18 months, proving a hit with seven signed up. Organisers are hoping the youngest section and a vacation programme will lead to more older children joining in the long term.

"We are about six children away from being self sufficient. The after-school programme is going all right, these things really help but what we need are the full-time two to four year olds -- that needs to increase.'' The Giving Tree opened in December after the closure of the previous nursery, Kids's Venture. It got off the ground after the persistence and dedication of parents and the East End community.

But organisers have admitted it has been difficult to attract the core youngsters in the middle of a school year. They are pinning their hopes on the blossoming baby nursery, after-school and vacation sections to provide the older recruits they need.

The group was granted an agreement with the trustees of the Church Folly Lane building in November and got off to a good start with tremendous help from the local community.

They have now employed teachers and are determined to see the project through.