ST MICHAEL’S Pre-school in Hilperton is planning to open a new £226,000 new building when the new autumn term starts in September.

The new and bigger premises have been built in order to offer parents and children more flexible opening hours and to accommodate up to 30 children per session aged 3-5 years and 12 children aged 2-3 years in separate rooms.

St.Michael's Pre-School will enable eligible parents and carers to take advantage of the universal 15 hours grant funding and also the recently announced government initiative of 15 hours extended entitlement for children aged 3-5 years.

The building is being built alongside St Michael’s Pre-school’s former home at Hilperton Village Hall. Children will continue to benefit from the rural setting, safe outside play areas and retain their well-used allotment.

Chairperson Lia Honeyball said: “Due to hall use restrictions, the Pre-school was only able to provide up to 14 hours per week for up to 24 children per session."

“With the new build, we will be able to provide up to 33.75 hours per week and accommodate 30 children per session for those eligible. In addition to this, the new build can also accommodate 12 two-year-olds separately in their own room."

“We will offer morning sessions for two-year-olds on Tuesdays and Thursdays but we will have the potential to increase this to five mornings a week as demand increases.”

She added: “The pre-school provides the children with an extensive range of resources, both indoors and outdoors, which enables them to play, learn and explore in their natural environment."  

“The children are educated in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance, which makes for a successful transition to school. Primary school teachers readily comment on the outstanding skills that our children have when starting in reception classes.”

The new extension will have two separate rooms; one will be a dedicated 2-3 year olds room offering morning sessions, and the other will be for 3-5 year olds offering flexible sessions between 9am and 3.45pm.

The extension has been achieved following a successful bid by Wiltshire Council for a central government grant, along with awards from The Trowbridge Area Board, Hilperton Parish Council, The Medlock Charitable Trust and The Garfield Weston Foundation.

In addition, the Pre-school has organised major fundraising events, and has received generous support and donations from local residents, businesses and pre-school families to provide new premises.

St Michael’s Pre-school is a registered charity inspected by Ofsted with a most recent outcome of ‘Good with Outstanding Areas’. The staff members are well qualified and the manager holds a BA Honours degree in Early Years Childcare and Education.

Further information on opening hours, universal 15 hour grant funding and the extended 15 hours entitlement can be found on the school’s website www.stmpreschool.co.uk.