Our nursery at Chestnuts opened in September 2022 and we are lucky enough to have spaces for 39 children aged 3 to 4.

Children in the Early Years learn by playing and exploring, being active and through creative and critical thinking which takes place both indoors and outside.  We place a strong focus on the children’s personal, social and emotional development, communication and language and their physical development. These are important areas which build the foundations for all other learning.

We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum which is made up of seven areas of learning:

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development   
• Communication and Language   
• Physical Development   
• Maths   
• Literacy   
• Understanding the World   
• Expressive Arts and Design 

These areas of learning are reflected in our nursery environment, both indoors and outside. Lots of our learning is linked to, and follows, the children’s interests and there is a balance of child-initiated and adult-led learning. Children explore, create and learn through play and the provision of exciting, stimulating, interactive and accessible resources and opportunities.

Indoors, the children can explore activities and learn through play in the main classroom, painting and crafts in the creative area, the role play corner and messy play such as cornflour or making playdough together.

Outdoors, the children can be creative using the outdoor wooden blocks, ride on balance bikes and scooters or dig in our planter beds which gives them plenty of opportunities to independently learn.

We regularly change the toys and equipment to encourage learning through play and to widen the children’s vocabulary. We have a good balance of activities to ensure our children can meet their next steps in their personalised learning journeys. We work closely with the reception team to ensure smooth transitions when the children are ready to start formal schooling and we tailor learning opportunities to meet the needs of our wonderful pupils.