Nursery Facilities
Welcome from the Acting Head of Nursery
I am delighted to have taken on the role of Acting Head of Nursery and wanted to take the opportunity to share with you some of the initiatives that we have implemented and the exciting plans that we have.
Downs House has been lovingly transformed into a vibrant, nurturing space, where every corner invites children to explore, play and grow. The light-filled rooms, with their spacious and thoughtfully designed layout, feel alive with energy, inspiring the children’s natural curiosity and joy. The sense of warmth and safety in this setting is palpable, creating an atmosphere where children feel at home, allowing them to thrive in their learning and development. The bright, open areas encourage independence, while the gentle, welcoming ambiance encourages collaboration and emotional well-being.
The dedicated staff continue to provide exceptional care, creating a calm and welcoming atmosphere, helping children to settle in quickly. The space now features distinct, separate areas to cater specifically for the development of the children ensuring a focus on the three core elements: communication and language, physical development and personal, social and emotional development. A cosy area hosts our tiny babies, where the focus is on building relationships through gentle, responsive play. For our emerging walkers and climbers, the “bubble” encourages adventurous and curious exploration. Once ready, children move on to the Jellyfish class to prepare for the next step into Holywell. Outdoors, a new sandpit has been added and the playground now connects with the garden, offering various textures and sensory experiences.
In Holywell we have redecorated, repainted and refurbished the sleep room and areas of the Pre-School and the Rainbow Fish classrooms. In Pre-School the timetable has been developed to include Forest School, climbing, French and Spanish. These activities are supported by teachers from the Prep School, utilising the resources available to the Prep School. Music, dance and swimming will continue to be introduced into the children’s timetable when they join Rainbow Fish. The staff have transformed these class spaces into imaginative environments that engage the children as well as continue to stretch and challenge them in the three key areas; physical development, communication and language, and personal, social and emotional development.
Looking ahead, the Prep School Eco Committee and I will work together to rewild part of the Muddy Garden, aiming to reintroduce bees and butterflies, allowing children to participate in creating a biodiverse habitat. Plans are also in place for the children to grow vegetables and establish a separate herb garden. In addition, there are exciting plans to transform the Rainbow Fish garden into a magical outdoor classroom.
Ensuring a high adult-to-child ratio remains a priority, providing individualised learning that challenges and supports each child’s development.
We are delighted that Kate Gallagher has been promoted as our EYFS Lead. Kate brings a wealth of expertise to the early years setting, with 14 years of experience in the field. The curriculum is being redesigned to emphasise “purposeful play,” ensuring children acquire essential skills that will lay the groundwork for their future success.
It is a privilege to be part of your children’s lives and to help create an environment filled with awe and wonder.
We warmly welcome feedback and ideas from all parents and guardians. Your insights are invaluable to us and we encourage open communication to ensure we provide the very best experience for your child.
Sugra Marshall Acting Head of Nursery
Baby Room
The baby room at Bede’s Nursery is a warm, comfortable space designed specifically for our tiniest learners. Here, the focus is on building strong, nurturing relationships through gentle, responsive play. Soft furnishings, ageappropriate toys and soothing colours create a calm environment where babies feel secure. Staff engage with the babies through sensoryrich activities that encourage early cognitive and emotional development.
Every interaction is focused on fostering trust and connection, whether it’s through playful moments, cuddles or soothing routines. This nurturing space ensures that each baby is cared for in a way that supports their individual needs and growth.
Baby Room Sleep Space
The nap room for the baby class is a serene, calming space designed to ensure restful sleep. Decorated with a beautiful elephant theme, the room offers a soothing atmosphere with soft lighting and gentle décor. Relaxing tones and music play softly in the background, creating a peaceful environment for a restful nap.
While the babies rest, they are monitored by staff regularly and through baby monitors, ensuring their safety.
With cosy cots and a tranquil ambiance, this space ensures little ones can rest comfortably and wake up refreshed.
Bubble Room
The “Bubble” Room is a lively, stimulating space filled with engaging sensory activities and vibrant toys designed to inspire curiosity and development. This environment is perfect for our emerging walkers and climbers, offering a safe yet adventurous area for children to explore their physical capabilities. With soft play equipment and various sensory-rich materials, the room encourages children to experiment with movement, balance and coordination, supporting their growing confidence in mobility. The room is arranged to spark imaginative play and interactive learning, fostering cognitive, social and physical development in an exciting, handson way. The bright, playful atmosphere ensures that every child feels inspired to explore, creating a foundation for lifelong learning and discovery.
Jellyfish Classroom
The Jellyfish class at Bede’s Nursery offers a vibrant and engaging environment where children are encouraged to explore, learn and grow. Inside, the space is arranged with a wide variety of toys, colourful learning stations and activities that stimulate creativity, cognitive development and social interaction.
Children can freely engage in imaginative play, sensory exploration and hands-on learning experiences throughout the day.
Jellyfish Class Dining Space
The eating area for the Jellyfish class is a bright, colourful space designed specifically for young children. With child-friendly furniture and a cheerful atmosphere, it’s the perfect setting for them to enjoy lunch and snacks. The inviting environment encourages social interaction and fosters healthy eating habits in a fun, relaxed setting.
Jellyfish Class Outdoor Learning
Outdoors, the class enjoy an exciting new sandpit, adding an extra element of fun and tactile exploration. The playground has also been enhanced with a direct connection to the garden, providing access to a range of natural textures and sensory experiences. This outdoor area encourages physical activity, discovery and learning through play.
Jellyfish Sleep Room
The sleep room for the Jellyfish class is a tranquil, snug space designed for rest. Decorated with an adorable elephant theme, the room exudes calm and comfort, helping children feel at ease as they settle down for a nap.
Soft lighting and a peaceful ambiance create the perfect environment for little ones to relax and recharge during the day, ensuring they wake up refreshed and ready for more activities.
Rainbow Fish Room
The Rainbow Fish Room at Bede’s Nursery is a warm, inviting space designed to foster curiosity and creativity in young children. With a bright, neutral decor, it features soft, sandy hues creating a calming yet stimulating environment.
The room is equipped with age-appropriate toys, interactive learning materials and comfortable seating areas, ensuring a balance between education and relaxation. Large windows let in plenty of natural light, while outdoor access encourages exploration of nature. The caring and attentive staff in the Rainbow Fish room provide nurturing support, helping children build confidence and develop essential social skills.
New Toilet Facilities
The new toilet facilities for the Rainbow Fish Class at Bede’s Nursery are child-friendly and designed with comfort and safety in mind.
Featuring low-level sinks and toilets, they allow children to use them independently, promoting self-care skills. Bright, cheerful colours and easy-to-clean surfaces create a welcoming environment. Safety features, such as non-slip flooring and soft-close lids, ensure a secure space. The facilities are conveniently located near the classroom, offering easy access and maintaining supervision.
Rainbow Fish Dining Room
The dining room for the Rainbow Fish class is a bright and cheerful space where children can enjoy meals in a social and supportive environment.
The room features child-sized tables and chairs, arranged to promote interaction and a sense of community. Walls are adorned with colourful artwork, creating a lively atmosphere. Natural light fills the space and durable, easy-to-clean surfaces ensure hygiene and safety.
Meals are served family-style, encouraging children to develop independence and table manners. The caring staff provide assistance as needed, fostering a positive dining experience that nurtures healthy eating habits and social skills.
Rainbow Fish Sleep Room
The sleep room is a serene, cosy space designed to help children rest peacefully.
Soft, calming colours and dim lighting create a soothing atmosphere, promoting relaxation. Gentle music or white noise is played to enhance the restful environment. Caring staff monitor the children closely, ensuring their comfort and safety while they recharge during nap time.
Pre-School Room
The Pre-School room is an engaging and stimulating environment designed to prepare children for their next educational step. It features a well-organised, spacious layout with dedicated areas for creative play, reading and hands-on learning. The room is filled with ageappropriate materials, including puzzles, books and craft supplies, encouraging independent exploration and critical thinking.
Bright colours and children’s artwork line the walls, fostering a sense of pride and creativity. Large windows provide ample natural light, creating an inviting atmosphere. The room also includes interactive learning stations such as counting and letter recognition activities, helping to develop essential literacy and numeracy skills. Qualified staff provide gentle guidance, promoting self-confidence, teamwork and a love for learning in every child.
Pre-School
The creative learning space at Bede’s PreSchool is an engaging and vibrant environment designed to inspire curiosity and learning. The room features engaging activities that promote hands-on exploration, including nature areas where children can observe and interact with plants and sensory stations that stimulate touch, sight and sound.
Phonics and counting activities are seamlessly integrated into the space, helping children develop foundational literacy and numeracy skills in a playful, supportive setting. The open, flexible layout encourages both independent learning and group collaboration, while staff offer gentle guidance, fostering confidence, creativity and a love for discovery in every child.
Pre-School Breakout Room
The breakout space for Pre-School is a versatile, stimulating area designed to inspire imaginative play and creativity.
It features a cosy book corner for quiet reading, a role-play construction area for hands-on building and a blackboard for drawing and writing.
Children can explore their artistic side with the painting station, while themed play activities encourage storytelling and collaboration. This dynamic space allows children to engage in various forms of learning, fostering creativity, problem-solving and social skills.
