New children's nursery plan for Wivelsfield Primary School clears final hurdle

On Monday, Bob Standley, East Sussex County Council’s lead member for education, formally agreed to change the age range of Wivelsfield Primary School — removing the final hurdle to plans to open a new on-site nursery.

The proposals had originally been put forward by the school’s governing body after the closure of Wivelsfield’s voluntary run pre-school in July 2020. This closure left the village without any early years provision.

The nursery, now expected to open next September, will initially be accommodated within a temporary classroom on the school site. In the longer term, the nursery is expected to move into the main school building, using a classroom currently occupied by an additional reception class which was admitted to the school in September 2022.

It is expected to offer 24 full-time equivalent places for two- to four-year-olds.