A BASINGSTOKE school is proposing to provide nursery care for 24 children by lowering its age range.

Winklebury Infant School has room for 180 students from reception class to Year 2 (four to seven-years-old). At the same time, located in an area of the school, the Winklebury Infant School pre-school (WISPS) currently cares for 24 children.

The infant school governing body approached Hampshire County Council to seek approval to lower the age range to two-years-old and directly manage the early years centre as part of the school.

However, this change will not make the infant school an all-through school; therefore, parents of children attending the pre-school will still need to apply for their place in Year R through the normal admission process.

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The current delivery of WISPS is located in a designated area on the school site, specifically designed for pre-school care for up to 24 children. The county council currently leases this area, and the school receives income from the tenancy.

This tenancy arrangement will end when the governing body takes over the management of the pre-school. 

A public consultation was held in March, but no objections were raised. 

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The council report said that the union of both schools will “continue to support the news for early years childcare services in the Winklebury area of Basingstoke, thus supporting families from an area of deprivation”.

Winklebury Infant School also “recognises” that delivering an early years provision “will offer an early intervention approach to children with SEND and implement early support before children starting school”.

If Hampshire County Council approves the proposal next week (Tuesday, May 14), Winklebury Infant School will manage the Winklebury Infant School pre-school (WISPS) from September 2024, offering care for 24 two-year-olds from 8.30am to 3.30pm.