DEVONSHIRE HOUSE NURSERY SCHOOL
Devonshire House School
Every child has a unique character. And we embrace them all. We can’t replace you as a parent but we promise your child will grow, learn and play in a safe environment, ready for the next big step.
Our complete education from Nursery School to Common entrance to Senior School allows children to transition as seamlessly as possible between the year groups, helping them to grow into happy, well-rounded individuals.
Introduction
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I would like to offer you a very warm welcome to Devonshire House Nursery School
The Nursery consists of two year groups: “Acorns” for children joining us at two years old, and “Oaks” for three year olds. We pride ourselves on offering a warm, nurturing environment where children can become confident, resilient learners and form lasting friendships.
Our small class sizes and high staff-to-child ratios ensure that the unique and natural talents of every child are recognised and encouraged from the moment they start. The Nursery team, teachers, and support staff are highly qualified and are dedicated to bringing a sense of fun and inspiration to every learning moment.
By working together, we give your child the best introduction to their school life and build a love of learning that will be the foundation of their success at Devonshire House.
NURSERY CURRICULUM
1 3 A Welcome
Mrs. Szpakowski
Head of Nursery School
Nursery children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.
The Prime Areas of learning and development are:
Our Provision
We plan our classroom layout so children can access their own resources and be independent learners. This is called Continuous Provision , which is carefully planned to support the children in their Prime and Specific areas of learning. The Nursery team will also plan enhancements part of what we call the Enhanced Provision . It may be related to the children’s interests, curriculum content, religious festivals or important events.
The Specific Areas of learning and development are:
Progress Tracking
Children’s Online Learning Journals (Tapestry) provide parents with a clear view of their child’s time at School and these help the easy, trusting dialogue between home and School, both informally and in regular parent/teacher meetings.
With the addition of:
Our Nursery follows a Key Person system which means that each child will have a higher level of individual care and attention. Each member of staff will be responsible for a set group of children, helping them to settle into Nursery, making sure their needs are being met at all times and allowing natural bonds to form.
EYFS
1 5 EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION STAGE (EYFS) FRAMEWORK
Communication & Language Development Personal, Social & Emotional Development Physical Development Literacy Understanding the World
Expressive arts & design Technology
Mathematics
Characteristics of Effective Learning
Teachers’ observations are focused on the Characteristics of Effective Learning:
• Playing and Exploring - children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’
• Active Learning - children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, and enjoy achievements
• Creating and Thinking
Critically - children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things.
Pastoral Care
With a clear focus on wellbeing, your child will grow in confidence, self-belief and resilience during their two years in Nursery. Time is dedicated daily to mindfulness activities, such as breathing techniques, yoga poses and movement breaks, as well as enjoying the therapeutic benefits of nature in our outdoor learning areas. Our tailored personal, social and emotional development programme also allows children to reflect, learn and grow as individuals and as part of their wider world.
Play-based Learning
There is a balance between adult-directed teaching and child-initiated learning . In both the indoor and outdoor environments, children learn through play-based and hands-on experiences
Mathe m atics
Children spend time developing a strong understanding of mathematical concepts, using a range of adult-directed teaching and child-initiated investigation , which is extended in the second year (Oaks).
Phonics
In Acorns, our educators focus on listening to and identifying sounds . This is continued in Oaks where blending for reading begins. We use a combination of Jolly phonics, Read Write Inc. and Letters and Sounds phonics programmes.
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Music
With our qualified music teacher, children follow a specific age-related music programme once a week , concentrating on pitch, volume and following a steady beat. They experiment with songs, rhymes and percussion instruments and are encouraged to learn songs with actions, showing good listening skills and expression in their performance.
Physical Education
Acorns children have the opportunity to involve themselves once a week in physical activities with our PE teacher. This is extended to twice a week in Oaks. Lessons are structured in a playful way, allowing Nursery children the opportunity to broaden their physical skills and explore movement, also using a range of equipment from the Games Department.
French
French is taught once a week by our specialist French teacher who teaches across the school. Words and songs are related to the creative curriculum and a range of props are used to keep the sessions fun and exciting.
Acorns Oaks
8:30 - 9:00
Children arrive at school.
9:15 - 11:10
Play-based learning activities.
Outside play in our Sustainable playground.
11:45
Children from morning session are collected.
Children from full day session are having lunch.
12:15 - 13:00
Rest/Sleep time for full day session children.
12:45 - 13:00
Children from afternoon session arrive at school.
13:00 - 15:00
Curriculum activities and Outside play.
15:45
Children from afternoon session are collected.
15:00 - 17:30
Start of the after-school care.
8:30 - 9:00
Children arrive at school.
9:00 - 09:55
Play-based learning activities.
09:55 - 10:25
Outside play in our Sustainable playground.
10:25 - 11:40
Snack Time.
Curriculum activities.
11:40 - 12:45
Lunch in the hall.
Outside play in our Adventure playground.
12:45 - 15:00
Play-based learning and Curriculum activities. Snack Time. Storytime.
15:00 - 18:00
Children are collected.
Start of the after-school care.
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Typical Day
Outdoor learning takes place in the refurbished Nursery playground We designed our playground with clear areas to learn and play. The children’s gross motor skills are supported by an imaginative climbing area designated of messy play in our sandpit, water pipe collaboration, imagination and gives the children the confidence to take risks in a safe environment.
In Oaks, children get a chance to experience our Forest School week, accumulating various
The children enjoy a delicious, nutritious lunch, prepared daily on-site by the Chef and his team. All dietary needs and allergies are catered for. Acorns and Oaks eat in the Long Hall with their friends. A selection of fruit and homemade desserts are also available every day. The children are provided with a healthy snack each morning and afternoon.
1 11 Outdoor Learning
Healthy Lunch 12
Your child will encounter 'active learning' in the outdoors.
All of our lunches are prepared daily on-site.
The Nursery is part of Devonshire House School, based in No. 6 Arkwright Road. It has good-sized rooms, excellent facilities and an amazing outdoor play area.
The décor is light, bright and airy with plenty of space for the children to explore. Our environment is carefully considered to ensure your child’s first steps away from home are positive and in a safe secure and stimulating environment.
Resources and equipment reflect a sustainable approach , which is also filtered in some areas throughout the school, with real life objects, and natural and upcycled transient materials.
Our Nursery School has been fully refurbished during the Summer 2023 with new beautiful and adapted furniture.
Children take autonomy in their learning experiences and move around to make choices freely, guided by adults.
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Transition Events
We ensure that we spend the final Summer Term preparing each child for the transition into Oaks or into Reception Children have plenty of opportunities to meet their new teachers, such as story sessions and a whole morning spent in their new classroom during our Moving up Day
We encourage our families to share any religious celebrations that they take part in to ensure we can plan and celebrate these important events with the children. Across the year, family members are welcomed into school to discuss their jobs, introduce family traditions or meeting baby siblings.
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Children can enter Nursery in the school year following their second birthday ( Acorns ), or their third birthday ( Oaks ).
For children aged 2 to 3 years old ( Acorns ), we offer:
Full Day - 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
Half Day - Morning - 8:45 am to 11:45 am
Half Day - Afternoon - 12:45 am to 3:45 pm
Wraparound Care - 8:00 am to 5:30 pm
For children aged 3 to 4 years old ( Oaks ), we offer:
Full Day - 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
Wraparound Care - 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
If you have not already had an optional private tour with our Head, Henry Keighley-Elstub, and you would like one, please contact Admissions. We would be happy to arrange this for you. Entry into Oaks from Acorns is automatic. Contact our Head of Admissions: Helen Ridard on 020 7435 1916 or admissions@dhprep.co.uk
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2 Arkwright Road, Hampstead, London, NW3 6AE
020 7435 1916
admissions@dhprep.co.uk www.devonshirehouseschool.co.uk
