Moving to Basingstoke

[oam21]

We are moving to Basingstoke. We bought a flat in city centre. We had 2 and a half years old. Where would be nice pre-school? How busy is the first school allocation? What's the best first school? Will it be better travel a bit for better school outskirts? We move from Dorset. She is in nursery here with lots of outside space and big park nearby. She really love it. It will be a big change for her as we will live right in the centre of big town.
Please kindly advise...

hi! To be honest I'm not an expert on pre-schools because mine were at nursery all that time. Near the town centre I know there is Victoria pre-school on Sarum Hill and Kings Furlong infants have a pre-school.

Town centre schools are Fairfields, Kings Furlong and I think South View is walking distance from town.

I think most schools are quite full these days so the schools that are seen as the 'best' ones and slightly further out are hard to get into unless you live on the doorstep or have links to the church.

Living in the town centre is nice though. There's Eastrop and the War memorial parks nearby.

Thank you very much for your reply Martines. I felt a bit sad for our girl as she just got a place in a nice pre school here but because of work we have to move and start all paperwork again.

Hi! We moved from Dorset last October with our 4 year old daughter. It is different to there for sure but there are lots of lovely places to take your daughter. As Martines says the parks in town are really nice. I'm afraid I don't know about pre schools in the centre so can't advise you there. My daughter goes to the Hatchlings Nursery which has two premises, one in South ham and the other in Cranbourne. She attends both and has been really happy there. Regarding schools I know this year lots of people didn't get into their preferred school as they tend to allocate you your catchment school. If you would like to meet up when you are here just let me know. I'm happy to help in anyway I can. x

Thank you very much jen00. Our catchment area will be Fairfield School from the council website. Is this school ok? Any comments?

I looked around Fairfields as its our second nearest school. I really liked it and I thought although it is an old building the space is used well. Displays were bright and welcoming and the children seemed well behaved although I know I only saw each class briefly. I suppose the only downside in my opinion was that they don't have a field on their actual premises which would mean that children only have the playground for playtimes. I think it got Good in its last Ofsted. We chose St. John's as its our catchment school but Fairfields came a close second. Best to have a look round yourself when you are here. When do you move?

Thanks Jen00. We are selling our house down here. We already bought house in Basingstoke but it need renovating. I think before the end of the year to get everything sort out. I'll contact you so we could meet for coffee.

Hi oam21,
I am the manager of Little Me Day Nursery in Basingstoke town centre. We are holding an "Open Day" on Saturday 26th July from 10-1pm.
Each of the rooms will have fun activities that parents can get involved in with their children and we will also have a farm, bouncy castle, face painting and glitter tattoos.
Our chef Pauline will be running cooking sessions for the children in the preschool room, spaces are limited in each session so please put your name down when you arrive.
We would love for you to come along and join in the celebrations and please bring a friend along to.
We look forward to welcoming you on the day.