Nursery

Our on-site nursery offers a warm, nurturing environment led by a dedicated teacher and experienced support staff. We follow the Birth to Five Matters framework, placing a strong emphasis on learning through play, exploration, and building early communication and social skills.

Children benefit from a well-resourced, child-centred setting and have regular access to enriching outdoor experiences, including Forest School, which helps develop confidence, curiosity, and a love of the natural world.

If you’d like to find out more about our nursery, please contact the school office or visit the nursery website.

Reception

In Reception, we prioritise the development of the whole child. We recognise that each child is unique and brings with them their own experiences, interests, and ways of learning. Our aim is to create a warm, inclusive, and stimulating environment where children feel safe, happy, and confident to explore and learn. We focus not only on academic progress but also on social, emotional, and physical development, ensuring that every child is supported to thrive in all areas.

Learning Through Play

Our teaching is guided by the Birth to Five Matters framework, which places play at the centre of early learning. We know that young children learn best when they are actively engaged, curious, and having fun. Through a well-planned and responsive play-based curriculum, children are given opportunities to follow their interests, make choices, and learn through hands-on experiences. This approach allows them to build creativity, problem-solving skills, resilience, and independence.

Building Communication and Social Skills

Developing strong communication and early social skills is a core part of our Reception curriculum. We provide a language-rich environment where children are encouraged to express themselves, ask questions, listen to others, and build positive relationships. Daily interactions, group activities, role-play, and storytelling help children learn to take turns, share ideas, resolve conflicts, and develop the confidence to communicate effectively with peers and adults alike.

A Strong Foundation in Reading and Writing

Early literacy is a vital part of our provision, and we use the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised phonics programme to teach early reading and writing. This structured, systematic approach ensures that children develop the skills they need to decode, blend, and segment words with confidence. Phonics sessions are taught daily and supported through carefully chosen books, writing opportunities, and engaging literacy-rich environments that help foster a love of reading and writing from the very start.

Connecting with Nature

In addition to our classroom provision, children take part in enriching outdoor experiences such as gardening and Forest School. These activities help children develop a connection with the natural world, as well as key skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and perseverance. Whether planting seeds, exploring woodlands, or building dens, these experiences support children’s physical development, well-being, and understanding of the world around them in meaningful and memorable ways.