In our safe and caring Nursery School your child will flourish, their achievements celebrated and confidence developed in readiness for the next stage of their education
Learning Through Play
Our focus is on ‘learning through play’ and we have three dedicated rooms defined by age. A room with just 2-3 year olds and a small staff ratio of 1:5 and two rooms for 3-4 year olds with a staff ratio of 1:8. Each room has direct access to the enclosed and secure garden and playground beyond.
Onsite, we have a pond where the children regularly go pond dipping, a playground with age-appropriate activities, a dedicated track to practise cycling and scooting and of course, our own Forest School based at our Juniors site where we go at least once a week.
Half & Full Days
In our 2-year-old room, the children attend for a minimum of two full days. The term after your child turns three they will move to the next class where we offer five half days or five full-day sessions to suit your family's needs. We would be delighted to show you around so please do get in touch to arrange a visit.
Facilities
Our recently refurbished nursery space has three bright and airy rooms all with direct outdoor access to our secure playground and garden areas.
The garden area has a pond where children regularly pond dip or look for bugs and beasts under the logs nearby. Our outside play areas include a playground for whizzing around on trikes and balance bikes. Imagination is encouraged to run wild and the mud kitchen is occupied by our young chefs who create the most amazing concoctions for their friends and staff to ‘dine on’.
In the summer, the gardens are filled with hollyhocks and vegetables are grown in pots and tubs around the site.
Nursery School Day
Everyday is jam-packed with fun activities at Claires Court Nursery School. Morning sessions run from 8.30am until 12pm and full days from 8.30am until 3.30pm. Below is an example of a typical day:
| Time | Period |
|---|---|
| 7.30am | Extended Day Drop off |
| 8.30am | Drop off |
| 8.50am | Registration |
| 9.00am | Children can choose between play inside, outside or in either classroom. There are free play and adult-led activities in one-to-one or in small groups. In addition there will be specialist lessons e.g. PE, Music and Forest School |
| 11.40am-12pm | Story/songtime/preparation for lunch or going home |
| 12.00pm-12.45pm | Children are served a hot lunch prepared on site |
| 12.45pm-3.30pm | Care routines and opportunites for rest/sleep. Children can choose between play inside, outside or in either classroom. There are free play and adult-led activities in one-to-one or in small groups. In addition there will be specialist lessons e.g. Dance and Music |
| 3.30pm | Home time/extended day starts |
6.00pm (5.30pm Fridays) | Extended day home time |
NURSERY CLOSURE DATES 2024-25:
20 December 2024 to to 1 January 2025 inclusive
26 August to 3 September 2025 inclusive
Extended Day for Busy Parents
The Nursery offers flexible hours from 7.30am to 6pm (5.30pm Fridays), so we are able to offer an extended care service to support you and your family. This extended care is provided by our own team.
Before school, children are dropped off at Nursery from 7.30am where they enjoy supervised play until 8.30am when the Nursery day starts.
After Nursery (from 3.30pm), children enjoy supervised play activities both inside and outside, giving them a chance to interact with other children.
During this time the children enjoy our 'family-style dining' where they sit down together for a home-cooked meal.
Holiday Care
Claires Court has its very own on-site Early Years Holiday Club for the school holidays. This is available for children from three years. As a Nursery pupil your child will be cared for in the Nursery where the emphasis is on play in a caring and safe environment. Holiday Club operates from 8.30am to 6pm (5.30pm Fridays) and is run by our own staff for continuity of care.
During the day we provide a hot meal at lunchtime and an evening meal for those that choose the extended day.