Our Story

Meaningful, purposeful learning in the heart of the community.

Where learning meets play in a calm & purposeful environment

Old Basing Village Nursery School and Otters Nursery School are family-run, Ofsted-registered early years settings, catering for children aged 0 to 5 years. Our dedicated teams of experienced, qualified teachers and early years practitioners are committed to providing a stimulating environment where children can learn through play. Both nurseries prioritise a warm and welcoming approach, with a fun and friendly atmosphere focused on supporting children through play-based learning.

A family-run business

ABC Learning Limited (formerly Old Basing Village Nursery School) was established in 2018 and is owned and managed by Victoria and Andrew Grayson both qualified primary school teachers with one simple mission in mind - to providing an exceptional early years foundation for all children by ensuring that children are happy, loved, safe, and secure. In 2022 we expanded our provision to care for babies at The Nest (Beddington Centre Old Basing) and in 2024 we also acquired Otters Nursery School in Cliddesden.

Vicky is a passionate educator with a broad range of experience in teaching, leadership and training. Vicky’s focus shifted from the primary age phase to early years following the birth of her third baby when she left her assistant headteacher role and became a local childminder.

Vicky graduated with a 2:1 in Primary Education and Teaching. Her mainstream teaching experience has given her valuable insight into the potential for gaps to emerge within a child’s development and the impact this can have on their attainment and future outcomes.

Her vision for learning is rooted in the belief that it is the teacher’s role, to truly engage learners through meaningful and purposeful opportunities where they can develop skills for life and a thirst for onward learning.

After graduating in 2006, Andy embarked on an education career, After completing his PGCE in primary education he taught at schools in Old Basing and Yateley where he enjoyed being an assistant headteacher and acting deputy head. Andy likes to keep his ear to the ground in primary education through his role as a governor at St. Mary's Junior School where he also enjoys continuing to interact with former OBVNS children as they progress in their education.

Andy shares Vicky's vision for create a solid foundation for early years education and believes that children thrive through the opportunity to explore and grow at their own pace - with gentle and appropriate challenge from their educators. Andy is passionate about outdoor learning and, in particular, facilitating new and exciting ways for children to play in the natural environment outside of the nursery schools.

Vicky and Andy live locally with their three children. When they aren't working they are often ferrying the children around to various clubs and activities! Andy enjoys playing golf, coaching cricket and travelling. Vicky can be found enjoying a coffee with friends, indulging in her interior design hobby or lifting weights at the gym. As a family, the couple enjoy travels in their campervan with the children and the family's dog!

Explore our light & spacious indoor spaces

Our indoor spaces are thoughtfully designed to foster exploration and creativity, allowing children to fully engage with the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. With the set up being similar in each learning area, we ensure every child's needs are being met at every stage of their development. Our inside space features various zones, such as a home corner for role play, a cosy corner for comfort, a creative and mark-making area, a loose parts play area to spark awe and wonder, and a small world zone for free exploration. We follow an approach that has evolved over time whereby practitioners support children through observing carefully in the moment and deploying a variety of methods to enhance, support, scaffold and challenge based on children's interests, stage of development and an acute awareness and knowledge of each individual child in our care.

Our Settings

We are an Ofsted registered to care for children from the ages of 0 to 5 years old.

Our registration numbers are:

Old Basing Village Nursery School - EY560526 Latest Ofsted Report
The Nest; Old Basing Village Nursery School (The Beddington Centre) 2707743 Latest Ofsted Report
Otters Nursery School - 2837140 Latest Ofsted Report

We are insured by the Royal Sun Alliance and belong to the Early Years Alliance and the National Day Nurseries Association.