The future of an “outstanding” school for autistic pupils is uncertain unless it can find a new home.

A desperate search is under way to find a new home for The Little Group, a specialist nursery for children who have autistic spectrum disorder.

The nursery, one of the very few in the country to offer specialist help and education for very young children, must leave its base at St Joseph’s RC Primary School in Epsom at the end of the school year.

The school, which has rented out accommodation to the nursery for the past 15 years, is expanding and needs its classrooms and offices back.

The group’s headteacher, Judy Gilham, who Ofsted inspectors say is “inspirational”, has been searching for a new base for The Little Group for the past six months, but has had no luck so far.

It needs premises offering two classrooms, two offices, an entry area and access to a garden or some other area where the children can get fresh air.

Mrs Gilham said: “It sounds pretty simple but it is actually proving very difficult to find anywhere like that.”

Traditional church halls are not suitable because the space is too large for small children with particular health problems.

Mrs Gilham said: “Unfortunately we can’t share premises because we often hold meetings before and after the school day, so our days can start at 8am and last until 6pm.”

A disused school would be ideal, but she said: “Unfortunately you don’t often hear about places like that until they are due for demolition.

“We don’t want to end up with nowhere to go. It would be wrong if we couldn’t offer this service to the children and their families.

“We are the only nursery of its type in the south which deals with autism at such a young age and we are very sought after.”

The Little Group has earned its reputation by employing specialist language and communication skills experts as well as specially trained nursery teachers to encourage all aspects of the children’s development.

Clare Kekwick, mother of three year-old Oliver who attends The Little Group, said: “It is an amazing facility. I just hope they find somewhere to go.

“Oliver just loves it. He is doing really well and he just can’t wait to get there. The staff are incredible. It is not easy being the parent of an autistic child and the staff are so good, nothing is too much trouble and they are fantastic with the children.”

Anyone with suggestions for a new home for The Little Group should call 01372 720218.

• What do you think? Let us know by email here, phone the newsdesk on 020 8330 9555 or leave a comment below.