CHILDREN at Madhatters Nursery enjoyed rides on a model train, provided by Ted Hobbs from the Liphook Modellers Club, as part of an annual treat.

Ted has been a regular at the nursery, off Longmoor Road, for the last seven years and his visit is one of the highlights in their summer calendar.

The event was organised by Rebekah Killick as part of a topic on transport and Madhatters also celebrated the first anniversary of the opening of their new building, which has provided a large classroom for the pre-school children.

Rebekah said: “The old building was torn down last July and then rebuilt – and the two building are now connected by a door – which was not the case before.

“We have 46 children in total, from two to five years, who are split into two separate groups. Two to three-year-olds are in the nursery and the pre school children are located in the new building.

“There is an exciting outdoor area, a mud kitchen, a digging patch, a wild area, a playhouse with a fence and patio, slides, a sandpit, a fairy garden, a bug garden, a herb garden, a vegetable patch, an outdoor class room and two bunnies called Smudge and Marshmallow – who were named by the children.

“Indoors there is messy play, role play, lots of equipment, toys, books and the pre-school has a new very large tablet for children to play with, which is very popular. We have 15 members of staff, who have lots of high qualifications and can give guidance. Two have a BA honours in early education, early childhood studies, and I have a foundation degree, an early years teacher degree which includes specialist training.”