Edge Grove Nursery

Our Nursery is a nurturing and wholly child-centred environment. The overarching structure for pastoral care at Edge Grove is one of a circle of care with each individual child right at the centre of the circle. We have an experienced team of Nursery staff who understand the needs, and sometimes worries, of our youngest pupils. They will work in close collaboration and communication with you as parents to ensure that every child feels happy and secure.

There are seven areas of learning and development that shape the educational programme in our Nursery. Each area of learning and development is implemented through planned, purposeful play and a careful blend of adult-led and child-initiated activities.

In addition, our Nursery children have specialist lessons in PE, Forest School and the Performing Arts each week at the main School site.

“Mud will wash off but memories will last a lifetime!”

Our Nursery pupils are fortunate to enjoy a Forest School session every week with our specialist Forest School leader in the beautiful wooded areas on the main School site. Forest School sessions provide the children with opportunities to grow in understanding of the natural world, take risks, solve problems and develop team building skills.

Throughout the academic year, both the Head and Mrs Balfour, the Assistant Head (Junior), visit the Nursery at least once a week to get to know the Nursery children well ahead of their move to “big school”. The Head of Early Years, Mrs Henwood, who is based at Edge Grove Nursery, visits the Reception staff and children weekly too so there is strong collaboration and communication within our Early Years team.

The Nursery children have weekly Forest School, Performing Arts and PE lessons at the main School site as well as after school activity sessions for some of the children. We bring the Nursery and Reception children together for fun afternoons and special events during the school year and we increase this activity in the summer term in readiness for the transition into Reception. The main School site is therefore a safe and familiar setting for the Nursery children.

In the summer term, the Head of Early Years and the Assistant Head (Junior) allocate the children into the five school Houses in readiness for House competitions and events in the Junior Department. The Nursery staff place the children into the 3 new Reception Forms ensuring that, so far as possible, there is an equal number of boys and girls in each Form. In the summer term, Reception Form Teachers visit the Nursery in preparation for the new school
year to make the transition as smooth and as seamless as possible for the children.

To ensure that Edge Grove Nursery is accessible to families who need an after school care provision, we work  in close partnership with Joshua Rose and his Keen Bean activity club team during term time. He also offers Keen Bean and Mini Bean activity camps during the school half terms and holidays.

At the end of the Nursery day at 1515, a member of the Nursery staff will accompany any Nursery pupils who are scheduled to stay for after school activities on the school minibus to the Junior Department on the main School site. Here they will meet the Keen Bean staff and the children will engage in play and creative activities in a Reception classroom or in the garden from 1530-1645.

For those who require an extended day, we also offer a calm Late Stay session, including a healthy snack, between 1700 and 1800 every day.