Our History

Hillside Preschool has been working with children and parents in our community for over 45 years. The Preschool started its journey in a classroom at Air Balloon Hill Infants School in September 1977.

In 1987 pressures on classroom space meant we needed to leave the main school building, this forced the Management Committee to decide the way forward. During the 3-4 years we remained in the school the value of the preschool as a provider of early years learning became well established and in order to ensure the preschool at Air Balloon Hill continued we were granted our current site on the school playing field, but the money was needed to build the unit. Fundraising commenced with all the pressures fundraising brings and the unit was opened in June 1991.

Preschool education has changed in many ways over the years Hillside Preschool has been working with our children and parents. In the past it was an all pay situation, now the vouchers for under 5’s demonstrates how important preschool education is seen by all concerned and periodic inspection by OFTED ensures national guidelines are observed.

During 2012 Air Balloon Hill Primary School announced plans for a major redevelopment to take account of the demand for entry places. Trustees of Hillside Preschool were aware that our current unit was reaching the end of its life and they met with the Head Teacher to seek approval to obtain planning permission to build a new unit. Trustees were always aware the type of modular building we occupied has a limited life span and a budget was set for replacement however fundraising was still required and many additional costs were incurred during the planning stage. Our current unit opened September 2013 and all agree its building that will serve the preschool well for many years.

Hillside Preschool has a long and proud history that many people have contributed too over the years, but we have always been driven by ensuring our children have the very best introduction to learning and their parents and carers receive the best possible support. We are always pleased to see those who were at preschool in past years now bringing their children to our preschool.