Education

WHY CHOOSE A SCHOOL NURSERY?

BY MRS RACHEL E HARRIS, HEAD OF PRE-PREP AT BARROW HILLS SCHOOL

Looking for a nursery can be quite overwhelming at fi rst, especially when there is so much choice from privately-run day nurseries, local authority nurseries and community nurseries. Some nurseries provide childcare year-round, some are open term time only, and many offer wraparound care options.

Nurseries set within schools are now gaining in popularity, with children generally joining from their second birthday. Let’s explore why this is and what the benefi ts are for children at nurseries within a school setting, as opposed to a standalone nursery.

A SENSE OF BELONGING Children at school nurseries thrive socially, cognitively, emotionally and physically. They are warmly welcomed into the wider school community from the very moment they pass through the school gates.

At prep schools, children will often join as two year-olds into the nursery class but that’s not all. They will also be joining ‘Pre-Prep’, the section of a prep school which extends up to age 7. They will start to join in with school activities such as raising money for charities alongside their elder peers in Reception and the rest of the children. Mums and dads can join parents’ associations and children will be immensely proud of their very fi rst school uniform!

FANTASTIC FACILITIES Children will benefi t from using all the prep school facilities on offer. These may include wide open spaces, woodland, playgrounds, sports fi elds, Astro, covered play areas… maybe even a swimming pool!

Inside, nursery children will be able to use the school dining hall and practice eating yummy meals together with their friends, teachers and older children. Going out to the beach or visiting a farm? No problem – simply jump on the school minibus.

PEUX-TU CHANTER UNE CHANSON EN FRANÇAIS? With prep schools catering for children up to Year 8, they are able to offer nursery children access to specialist teachers. How does learning to sing a song in French sound? Mastering the castanet with your nursery friends in the music room? Building a bug hotel in Forest School or learning how to plié in the ballet studio?

RECEPTION ON THE HORIZON All nursery age children – no matter which nursery you choose - will grow in independence, learning to put on their own coats and shoes, and learning how to use the toilet, whilst supported by caring staff. But at a school nursery, they will develop a close link with those children already the Reception class, looking up to them as role models. When the time comes for children to move into Reception themselves, they will already know their Reception teacher and Nursery staff will still be around for questions and support, making for a seamless transition. ■

WHAT’S ON IN YOUR AREA?

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DOUBLE GREEN FLAG VICTORY

FOR KNOWLE GREEN DAY NURSERY

After receiving a prestigious ‘Green Flag’ award in 2019 as part of the international Eco-Schools scheme, children and practitioners from Knowle Green Day Nursery in Staines were delighted to learn they had gained the sought-after accreditation for a second time.

The top accolade in the programme has been presented to the day nursery on Yeovil Road once more, following continued exceptional environmental awareness and conservation practices involving children of all ages.

From babies using recycled paper from the shredder for sensory activities, to older children creating bug hotels for insect observations and growing vegetables in the garden, there are exciting learning opportunities at every turn at Knowle Green.

Childbase Partnership Health, Safety & Environment Director, Mark Bird said; “Holding two Green Flags is a notably rare achievement amongst the broader Eco-School Community and speaks to the diligence at those settings with regards to environmental education but also our broader leadership credentials in this field”.

Knowle Green Manager, Vicky Chinnapen explained; “We are thrilled to have another eco-credential under our belt. Respecting and protecting the environment is a key part of our commitment to give our children the best possible future and we are delighted they understand why this is so important.”

For more information please contact the nursery on 01784 464141 or email on Knowle.green@childbase.com

DEVELOPING

POTENTIAL FOR LIFE

St. Andrew’s School was founded in 1937 and is a respected and thriving co-educational Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep School, set in 11 acres of grounds near Woking town centre. St. Andrew’s creates a nurturing and happy environment in which all pupils are encouraged and enabled to develop their potential to the full.

At St. Andrew’s children feel secure and confident and are highly motivated to perform to the best of their ability in all aspects of school life. Children are prepared for entrance and scholarship exams to a wide range of independent senior schools and there are specialist teaching facilities for all subjects including science, ICT, music, food technology and art. The curriculum is broad and the school places great emphasis on music, sport and the arts. In our latest ISI Inspection, (January 2016), we were extremely proud to be rated ‘excellent’ in all areas.

St. Andrew’s has excellent on-site facilities and our latest building development project has provided us with a fantastic tiered seating theatre, food technology room, library, changing rooms and classrooms. Our impressive outdoor facilities include an all weather sports surface, sports pitches, tennis courts, cricket nets and a swimming pool.

We currently have limited places available for entry in September 2021. See our website for further details and to book a place at our next Open Morning: www.st-andrews.woking.sch.uk