MAD Hatters Nursery School has been given planning permission to replace one of its original “temporary” classrooms, to create a modern, open-plan environment for both children and teachers.

Located next to the Bohunt Centre, on Longmoor Road, the nursery first opened its doors on the site in 1994, having been in existence since 1979 as Bohunt Nursery, located within the main school.

It was taken over by Elaine Chiverton in 2000 and renamed Mad Hatters Nursery School. It currently provides 52 places for children between the ages of two and four years old.

The nursery also receives support from a teacher-mentor from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and it obtained Pre-School Learning Alliance accreditation in 2004. It has two timber-framed buildings on a rented plot at the back of the centre.

The oldest building dates back to its earliest days, while the newer one was added in 2007, to cater for the growing demand for nursery places in the parish.

Mad Hatters is planning to link a new building with the existing classroom to provide better communication as well as help assist in the running of the nursery.

In addition, the existing ramp will be removed to open up the area to the front of the new classroom in order to provide a direct link with the external play area.

Wheelchair access to will be provided to the side of the building in a similar location to the existing one. The nursery is open five days a week in school term.

Sessions are 9am-3pm (Monday-Thursday) and 9am-noon on Fridays.

For more details, call 01428 727288 or visit madhattersnurseryschool.co.uk.