Overton Preschool moves to 'wonderful' new location

Overton Preschool, which has served the village and surrounding area for more than 40 years, opened the doors to its new setting at St Luke’s Hall, Winchester Street in early September 2024.

Previously based at Overton Church of England Primary School in Court Drove, the preschool found itself looking for a permanent home following news that the school had other plans for that part of the site.

The Overton Preschool Playgroup parent committee and management team say they "acted quickly" to secure the space at St Luke’s Hall, ensuring continuity of care for the children and certainty for parents, carers and staff.

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Children with Laura Enters, Leanne Britton, Angela Cowperthwaite, Amanda Igo [Manager]. (Image: Overton Preschool Playgroup)  

The new Overton Preschool is now located just a short walk from its playgroup setting and offers children a friendly environment in which to learn, play and express their creativity, with ample indoor space and access to an extensive and recently revamped garden.

The move to St Luke’s Hall has also allowed the preschool to expand its provision, with the larger premises enabling the team to guarantee parents and carers their preferred hours and offer even more places to local children.

Lucy Quick, chair of Overton Preschool Playgroup committee said: "We are all absolutely delighted to have found a wonderful new home for the preschool at St Luke’s Hall.

"A huge amount of effort went into finding the right location within the village to maintain our enduring ties with the local community and offer easy access for parents.

"St Luke’s is perfect in every respect and we are pleased to form this new partnership.

"A huge thank you to our fabulous preschool team, who have worked hard over the summer to ensure the space is fun and welcoming for the children.

"This is the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Overton Preschool Playgroup."

Amanda Igo, who manages both the playgroup and preschool settings, said: "We didn’t think it would be easy to move our successful preschool to a brand-new location, but agreeing this long-term arrangement with St Luke’s Hall has allowed the team to focus on making the transition as seamless as possible for our children, parents and carers.

"The space at St Luke’s is ideal for supporting the children’s learning and development, with a secure garden area that allows for outdoor play and exploration.

"There are lots of new joiners this year, both from our playgroup and other local settings. The feedback from parents is that the children are really enjoying the new space and are settling in well.

"We couldn’t be happier."

Anne Phillips, chair of Overton Parish Council, which has two trustees on the management committee of St Luke’s Hall, added: "Throughout its history, St Luke’s Hall has played a central role in Overton life, hosting a wide variety of community groups and activities.

"We are very pleased that Overton Preschool has found its new long-term home at the hall and that the important village space will continue to make a positive difference to the lives of the local community."