Website produced and maintained for the Hungerford Historical Association
by Hugh Pihlens

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The Croft Nursery School first opened in 1942. [The following account is based on information from Miss Stella French, Head Teacher 1954-84, written in 1987]. The original pre-fabricated building was built on the site of the farmyard of the adjacent Parsonage Farm, which included cowsheds, pigsties and the well. The nursery opened as a Wartime Nursery (later re-named Day Nursery) administered by the Ministry of Health, to provide young mothers with crèche facilities whilst they worked at local factories involved in the war effort, including the Vickers Armstrong Aircraft Factory in Eddington and the Chilton Aircraft Factory. The nursery was staffed by a matron and nurses, helped by other young women who had taken a three month "Child Care Reserve" course. The nursery was open from 7am until 7pm, and as well as providing meals (including breakfast), the emphasis was on health and cleanliness.

In June 1948 an Open Day was organised, at which a Toy Fund was started, and most parents gave one penny per week.

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The post-war emphasis was on a happy atmosphere and learning by experiment. Health and hygiene were still important, and included toothbrush and handkerchief drill. There was a nutritious midday meal for all children, which included orange juice, rusks, 2/3 pint of milk and a daily dose of cod-liver oil. There was a 90 minute rest period after lunch, with children lying on stretcher beds with blankets supplied. Most children actually slept! There was limited outdoor space, so long walks were arranged, and whenever possible children stripped off to play in the sunshine.

In 1949 Miss Jean Earle was appointed Superintendent. The land extending down towards the canal was cleared and added to the playground.

In 1953 the Superintendents officially became "Head Teachers", to emphasis the teaching role. CCR qualification was replaced by a 2-year training for the National Nursery Examination Board Certificate. Hungerford Nursery was an official training school for students on this course.

Many Nursery Schools, especially in the south of England, were closed during the 1950s, and there was a national ban on nursery building due to scarce resources after the war. However, Berkshire retained its 13 nurseries and had the first new permanent nursery with open plan built at Cookham. Visitors came from all over the world.

Hungerford's Croft Nursery School continued to thrive, under the Head Teachers Miss Stella French (1954-84); and Mrs Angela Pomroy (1984-1998). At this time the Assistant Teacher was Miss Nicola Dunks, with Nursery Nurses Mrs Pat Eggbeer (1957-July 2001) and Mrs Rosalie Brady.

The line of excellent head teachers continued with Mrs Jane Simons (appointed 1998), and it was largely due to her energy and drive that the local authority agreed to build a completely new nursery school, at last replacing the 1942 pre-fab (which had well-surpassed its 10-year predicted life!).

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