A NEW pre-school has opened in Wickford.

Hilltop Infant School opened their pre-school, Hilltots, this month.

Funding was granted last year due to the deficit of spaces for pre-school provision in the Wickford area. Research carried out by the HEARTS Academy Trust also supported the need for another pre-school in the area, due to the long waiting list at Little Teds, Wickford Church of England School.

Hilltots will offer morning sessions for children aged more than two-years-old and afternoon sessions for children who have turned three, the September after their birthday.

Spaces are now available, funded up to 15 and 30 hours a week, in the school's new purpose built building with high quality play and resources, overseen by a qualified teacher.

A spokesman for the school said: "The Hearts Academy Trust have successfully led the building and opening of four school based pre-school provisions, with one being in the Wickford area. Wickford C of E opened Little Teds Pre-school four years ago and has been very successful.

"Data shows that from early intervention, children who attend a HEARTS pre-school achieve higher at the end of the Foundation Stage and across the schools then those who do not."