Nursery BENEFITS

North Bridge House Nursery & Pre-prep discusses its approach of widening children’s experience while providing a strong learning foundation

Department of Work & Pensions records show that 76% of mothers now return to work within 18 months of having a child, with day nurseries remaining the most popular childcare for under threes While cutting the umbilical cord and enrolling your little one can still be a tough decision, the benefits are clear. Aside from the daily routine, spending time in a play and learning environment helps academic readiness. “A nursery or pre-school setting provides structure and routine for young children, while building the social, pre-academic, and general life skills that prepare them for ‘big school’,” says Eilish Sleator, Head of School at North Bridge House Nursery & Pre-Prep in West Hampstead.

So how do you choose the best nursery for your child? The di erence between settings often lies in how the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is delivered. EYFS providers are not bound by the same sta -to-child ratios. For children aged 3+ years in a private nursery or pre-school, the typical sta to child ratio is 1:8. At North Bridge House, the ratio at Nursery (age 2+) is 1:4 and in the pre-Reception (3+) class, it is 1:6. The team say this enables individualised teaching and helps children thrive. NBH has also adopted a ‘mastery’ approach. Pupils master key concepts before moving on to the next topic. Individualised support gives children time to grasp an idea and gain deeper understanding.

It’s important to consider the whole nursery experience, as non-cognitive learning is just as essential. Nursery is your child’s opportunity to discover life outside the family unit – also developing key social and communication skills and self-confidence.

“Again, this comes down to what the pre-school or nursery o ers above and beyond the EYFS,” says Eilish Sleator.

“While this framework is designed to ensure a child’s personal development as well as academic progress, we look to provide as much opportunity as possible to spark curiosity outside of the formal curriculum.”

Specialist subjects are o ered from the outset, with Italian, drama, music and dance, delivered on a weekly basis in the Nursery. In the 3+ class, children also benefit from twice weekly French lessons and bi-weekly Forest School.

“At this age, we do not o er specialist subjects with the aim of developing the next Mozart or Ginger Rogers,” says Eilish Sleator. “Our primary aim is to provide breadth and depth to the earliest years of education, to inspire that lifelong love of learning, and to equip our little ones with the confidence and resilience to thrive.

“While factors such as location and ease of access will play a significant part in the decision-making process, when choosing a nursery for your little one I would always recommend finding out about how they will be supported and developed as an individual, and what the nursery or pre-school can o er to provide an even wider learning experience than the EYFS framework.”