We believe children learn best when they're having fun. Play isn't just play - it's how little ones explore, discover, and grow. Every activity we offer is designed to spark curiosity and build confidence, while making sure your child feels happy and supported.

Our indoor and outdoor classroom provides children with a safe, organised, and nurturing environment that is well resourced with toys, play equipment, and open-ended materials to allow each child to progress in all areas of their development. 

Our Approach

We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework which sets the national standards for learning, development, and care for all children in this age range. This ensures that every child is kept safe, develops well, and gains the knowledge and skills they need as the move through their early years. To see how this continues in school, visit our reception page.

Alongside the EYFS we also use the Birth to 5 Matters guidance to shape our daily practice. This means we focus on what truly matters for your child's learning and development:

  • Every Child Is Unique: We celebrate what makes your child special and help them learn at their own pace.
  • Strong Relationships: Children thrive when they feel safe and cared for, so we build, warm, trusting connections with every child. 
  • A Space To Explore: Our nursery is full of exciting opportunities - indoor and outdoor - for children to play, discover, and learn.
  • Learning Through Play: Play is at the heart of everything we do. It's how children develop language, confidence, and social skills.

Books At The Heart Of Learning

Each week, we have a Book of the Week that inspires our play and activities. These books link to exciting themes for each half term, so children can dive into stories, explore ideas, and learn in a way that feels natural and fun. 

What Does This Look Like?

  • Story Adventures: Acting out the Book of the Week with costumes and props.
  • Creative Crafts: Making puppets, painting scenes from the story.
  • Outdoor Explorers: Nature walks linked to the book theme. 
  • Role Play Corners: Shops, hospitals, and other themed play areas.
  • Music & Movement: Singing songs from the story and dancing to themed music.
  • Sensory Play: Messy play trays with textures linked to the book.

Why It Works

This approach helps us create a warm, engaging environment where every child feels confident and ready for the next step. It's about building strong foundations - socially, emotionally, and academically - so they're prepared for a bright future.

Groups

Your child may be in the Hedgehogs or Squirrels group depending on their age. 

Both groups play and learn together throughout the day during free-flow play, but access separate group times appropriate to their age and stage.

Welcome to Hedgehogs. Your child will be in the Hedgehogs group from the age of 2 until they start their pre-school year.

During their time in Hedgehogs, we focus on helping your child grow, explore, and build confidence in a nurturing and engaging environment. Our curriculum is shaped by the prime areas of learning, which are recognised nationally as the most important building blocks for children’s development from birth to five. These areas help every child form strong foundations for future learning:

Communication and Language

Developing speaking, listening, and understanding through conversations, stories, songs, and play.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Supporting children to build relationships, develop independence, understand emotions, and grow in confidence.

Physical Development

Helping children gain control, coordination, strength, and confidence through movement, play, and self‑care skills.

These three areas work together to help your child become a curious, capable, and happy learner. As they move towards the next stage of their learning journey, we gently introduce broader experiences that help them feel prepared, confident, and excited for what comes next.

8.45am Doors open / indoor play
9.05am Group time with keyworker
9.20am Play - outside open 
10.15am Snack time
10.30am Indoor play and nappy changing
10.45am Play - outside open
11.25am Tidy up time
11.35am Together group time - story/songs
11.45am Lunch. Morning children go home.
12.15pm Indoor play. Afternoon children arrive.
12.45pm Group time with keyworker
12.55pm Play - outside open
13.45pm Snack
13.55pm Play and nappy changing
14.10pm Play - outside open
14:50pm Tidy up time
15:00pm Together Group time - story / songs
15:15pm Hometime

 

Welcome to Squirrels.Your child will be in Squirrels during their pre-school year (from the September after they turn 3 until they start school).

During their time in Squirrels, your child continues to deepen their learning within the prime areas of development, which form the foundations for all early learning:

Communication and Language

Building confidence in speaking, listening, and understanding through conversations, stories, songs, and imaginative play.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Developing independence, confidence, resilience, friendships, and the ability to manage emotions in a supportive environment.

Physical Development

Strengthening both fine and gross motor skills through active play, outdoor exploration, and hands‑on experiences.

These essential skills help your child grow into a confident, enthusiastic learner. As they move closer to school age, we gently introduce more structured experiences so they feel prepared and excited for their transition into Reception.

Growing Independence

A key part of the pre‑school year is supporting your child to become more independent in age‑appropriate ways. Throughout their year in Squirrels, we help children:

  • Manage their own belongings
  • Build self‑care skills such as toileting, handwashing, and dressing
  • Follow simple routines and instructions
  • Take turns, share, and form positive friendships
  • Develop resilience, confidence, and perseverance

These small steps make a big difference. By the end of their Squirrels journey, your child feels secure, capable, and ready for their next learning adventure.

8.45am Doors open / indoor play
9.05am Group time 
9.20am Play - outside open 
10.15am Snack time
10.30am Group time
10.45am Play - outside open
11.25am Tidy up time
11.35am Together group time - story/songs
11.45am Lunch. Morning children go home.
12.15pm Indoor play. Afternoon children arrive.
12.45pm Group time
12.55pm Play - outside open
13.45pm Snack
13.55pm Play and nappy changing
14.10pm Play - outside open
14:50pm Tidy up time
15:00pm Group time - story / songs
15:15pm Hometime

 

As your child prepares to start school, we work closely with you to make the transition smooth and positive. Throughout the year, we introduce small experiences that help children understand what “big school” will be like.

Here are some helpful ways you can support your child at home:

  • Encourage a predictable morning and bedtime routine.
  • Practise getting dressed, putting on shoes, and organising belongings.

  • Let your child have a go at zipping coats, opening lunch items, and tidying up.
  • Give them small responsibilities to boost confidence.

  • Enjoy stories together every day.
  • Play games that develop listening, turn‑taking, and simple problem‑solving.
  • Encourage mark‑making, drawing, and exploring early numbers in everyday life.

  • Share stories about school in a calm, upbeat way.
  • Look at photos of their new school together (if available).
  • Celebrate the idea of “big school” while reassuring them that it’s okay to feel nervous.

  • Arrange play opportunities with peers.
  • Practise greeting others, joining play, and expressing emotions.

  • Attend school induction visits
  • Explore the journey to school
  • Talk about what they might see or do there