The Orchard was originally formed as a playgroup in 1987, being housed for its first year in a classroom at Little Milton School and for two terms in a farmhouse kitchen.

In September 1988, The Orchard moved into a purpose built premises adjoining Little Milton School. Members of Little Milton village and parents designed and constructed The Orchard building themselves, which won the ‘Village Ventures’ award in 1988.

In November 2000 we built and moved to our ‘log cabin’ building (Little Milton School needed The Orchard building for a third classroom). Most of the funding for the project came from South Oxfordshire District Council, The National Lottery, Little Milton School and lots of fundraising events organised and supported by The Orchard and the local community.

We are now known as ‘The Orchard Pre-school ’ we feel we provide not only pre-school type activities but also aim to prepare the older child for school by a ‘learn through play’ approach.