About The Centre

Blagdon Nursery School and Children’s Centre provides high quality education and care to ensure that all children are healthy, safe, enjoy and achieve and make a positive contribution. The ethos of our children’s centre builds strong links with the Community of Whitley by working in partnership with a range of different agencies, including Whitley Surestart Children’s Centre.

The Nursery School was established in 1937 in the middle of a large council housing estate built during the 1930’s to the south of Reading. The estate has grown since then with flats being built during the 1960’s and more housing during the 1970’s. During the late 90’s and early 2000’s there has been more development by Housing Association accommodation. Some of the housing is now owner occupied. The area has a degree of social need leading to Social Service involvement with families having a variety of problems.

The nursery school is accommodated in three buildings, Pear Tree built in 1937, Cherry Tree built in 1974, and Apple Tree in 1978. There are 80 full time equivalent places, seventy two full time and sixteen part time places. Children are registered on the waiting list at the age of two years and are admitted as soon after their third birthday as we have space for them.

The Willows Day nursery is a purpose built facility opened in October 2004. It caters for 24 children from 0 ~ 4 years and is a fee paying facility.

Since 1974 we have offered extended facilities. We have a breakfast and after school club and open during the school holidays. These extra facilities are provided at a small charge to parents.

The Family Room is housed in a separate building in the grounds and caters for families with children under 3. This is a very popular provision and well supported with over sixty families a week attending various sessions.

We have a large staff consisting of head teacher, deputy head, teachers, nursery nurses, bursar, learning support assistants, lunchtime controllers and admin assistant in the main school and family room. In the Day Care we have nursery manager, assistant manager/room supervisors, nursery nurses and nursery assistants. The cook and cleaning staff are provided by outside agencies.