Learning Environments
Nursery and Reception are the stepping stones between two of the most important places in your child’s life – home and school. Children in our Foundation Stage are given the best education start within our stimulating, fun and nurturing environment.
Foundation Stage Environment
Foundation Stage is a distinctive area within the Prep School. A modern building refurbished in 2022 it contains four bright and spacious interlinked classrooms, all opening out onto a safe, enclosed outdoor play area. Children move up through the classrooms stage by stage in readiness for joining Prep in Year 1, which is only on the other side of the playground. This layout of connected classrooms creates a cosy, familiar environment for the children that facilitates open-ended play opportunities inside and out.
We also make good use of the extensive school facilities, including the Art Room, Music Room, Library, Drama Studio and Sports Hall. Outside we regularly take walks within our extensive grounds, have picnics and learn about the world around us. We enjoy weekly sessions in our Forest School, which is an excellent place for exploration, discovery and mud pies!
Throughout the year, we provide many opportunities for the Foundation Stage community to come together with the rest of the school to celebrate events, play, learn and utilise our wonderful shared facilities. We believe this offers incredible learning opportunities where the older children support the younger ones, and they all discover new ways to play. This builds social development and reinforces our community ethos as the children move through the school, developing positive relationships with friends in different year groups.
Stages
The Cocoon (Babies 6 months - 2 years)
Located in the Foundation Stage building, the new room provision offers places for our youngest children and is fully resourced with brand-new age-appropriate equipment and toys.
The space is light, colourful and harmonious and feels like an extension of the home, with naturally styled furniture designed using real wood with soft angles, textures and muted contemporary colours, filled with lots of exciting areas to explore and discover.
Caterpillars (Toddlers 2 to– 3 ½ years)
Children can start in our Caterpillar room from the age of two and will celebrate their third birthday in the class. Class sizes are a maximum of 20 children with a ratio of one adult per four children, allowing our highly qualified staff to care for and nurture every child as an individual. All children must attend at least three-morning sessions per week when the emphasis is on play, exploration and discovery in our stimulating indoor and outdoor surroundings.
Whilst in classes, the children will work towards achieving Early Learning Goals according to individual ability. Each week we offer a range of exciting opportunities led by specialist teachers to enhance learning and introduce the children to various subjects and skills. These include French, Music, Drama, PE, Cooking, Art and Forest School. Children will begin to develop their first digital learning skills using our ICT equipment, including our interactive whiteboards.
We have regularly planned activities where Nursery children all come together either as a whole or in smaller groups.
Butterflies (Pre-School)
Our older Nursery class for rising 4's is called Butterflies. Classes have a maximum of 24 with a ratio of one adult to six children, which enables us to offer individualised support, encouraging an open-ended and continuous provision for children to socialise, play and learn collaboratively and independently.
With a little more structure to the day, children have weekly phonics and early writing lessons alongside the Early Years curriculum. Each week we offer a range of exciting opportunities led by specialist teachers to enhance learning and introduce the children to various subjects and skills. These include French, Music, Drama, PE, Cooking, Art and Forest School. Children will continue to develop their digital learning skills using our ICT equipment, including our interactive whiteboards.
All children are required to attend at least three-morning sessions per week. It is anticipated that by the Summer term in Butterflies, all children will attend for at least two full days per week.
Sunbeams & Rainbows (Reception)
Our Reception classes are called Sunbeams and Rainbows, each with a maximum of 20 children. Two class teachers are supported by Teaching Assistants and additional support staff. Each classroom has a cloakroom area, and both classes share easily accessible toilets.
Reception class is a hive of activity throughout the year, as the teachers work with each child to prepare them for their transition to Year 1. Within this stage, we continue to work to develop self-confidence, independence and a positive approach to learning. We enrich and enhance the Early Years curriculum with a range of exciting opportunities led by specialist teachers, such as French, Music, Drama, PE and Forest School. Children will continue to develop their digital learning skills using our ICT equipment, including our interactive whiteboards.
Several clubs are available to Reception children, including Ballet, Karate and Sports Club.