Welcome to St Margaret’s Bluebird Nursery. Your child’s journey can start with us from the age of two when they will begin their school life in our safe and stimulating pre-school environment. They will feel confident to freely explore, test their independence away from their family and find their creativity prior to moving to our Reception class when they are four. 

Our primary aim is to cultivate a positive home-school relationship that is established for the entire time your child is with us. Adopting a holistic, family-focused approach to understand the whole child is embraced not just by our Nursery teachers, but by each staff member at the school who will interact with your child. This approach allows us to truly understand each child and to ensure they feel understood and secure, and confident with their new surroundings and routines.

We place great importance on encouraging each child’s communication skills, developing meaningful relationships with their peers, learning how to negotiate and take turns, and being confident with adults. 

Please contact us to arrange a visit – we would love to meet you.

Mrs Juliette Heal
Head of Nursery & Pre-Prep
   

Watch our video for a 'Behind the Scenes' look at the EYFS Department!

 

BLUEBIRD NURSERY ACTIVITIES

 

 

A caring and nurturing approach from our highly qualified staff, ensures that each child thrives and develops a real joy of learning. Structured play and activities provide the foundation for reading, writing and number work. Creative skills are nurtured and encouraged through painting, role-play and musical activity.

In addition to spending time in our light, airy, purpose-built classroom, the children are given time to put different skills to use in our linked Early Years' Courtyard and by exploring the multitude of outdoor learning spaces we have here at St Margaret's.
 

Chicks (Lower Nursery):

For our youngest children, or 'Chicks', we provide a safe haven for them to explore and develop within the Bluebird Nursery setting.  They enjoy Forest School, games and music which are all taught by our enthusiastic Early Years staff. There is a separate play and sleep area, but the children are also encouraged to integrate and form friendships with the older children within the Nursery. To help with socialisation and settling, we recommend 4 sessions per week which can be booked as full or half days.
 

Hatchlings (Middle Nursery) and Fledglings (Upper Nursery):

Once our 'Chicks' turn 3, we welcome them into our 'Hatchling's' group. Alongside our 'Fledglings' - those children who are in their pre-school year prior to entering Reception-  they enjoy lessons delivered by our subject specialists which are timetabled each morning. Children can enjoy Swimming, Music, Games, Computing, French and Forest School.

Our children in Nursery are very much part of the school, so they also have the opportunity to explore the school grounds and spend time with the older children. They have access to the wider school facilities including the library, play equipment, 25m indoor swimming pool and acres of playing fields. An organised timetable of enrichment activities means that our 'Hatchlings' and 'Fledglings' can take advantage of whole school events such as theatre company visits, Pre-Prep sports day, Book Week and the Christmas Nativity.
 

Early Years' Courtyard:

Our newly developed courtyard is a welcome addition to our Early Years Department.  It is a bright, fun and lively outdoor space which stimulates our pupils' imaginations and encourages harmonious play within a happy, exciting and safe environment. 
 

Research shows that play is one of the most important ways in which young children learn and gain essential knowledge and skills, and this is at the core of a St Margaret’s education. The courtyard has been designed with exactly this sense of purpose and possiblity in mind. There are a variety of excting and innovative features to stimulate our youngest pupils including water play basins, a role play shop, the play lodge, a storyteller chair, the sandpit and a tipi. Children love sensory play and our courtyard provides endless hours of fun and exploration.

See our Early Years' Courtyard in action:

 

 

 

A family-focussed approach 

We adopt a holistic, collaborative and family-focused approach to understand the whole child. We work hard to ensure that each child feels understood and secure and will therefore be more confident with their new surroundings and routines. To support this, just prior to starting with us, nursery visits are arranged so that we can begin to get to know the children in a setting familiar to them.
 
During the year, we strengthen our relationship with parents by ensuring there is regular, open dialogue and can chat to parents at drop-off and pick-up. In addition to the online Learning Journey and Parents’ Evenings, we organise a number of events throughout the year that gives our parents and extended family the opportunity to see their child in their learning environment. During one afternoon in the Autumn and Spring Terms, Open House allows parents to be actively involved in their child’s learning and Grandparents’ Tea is always very well attended! As our Hatchlings and Fledglings swim each week, in the summer term we also invite family members to an Open Swim session (from the poolside!) so they can see their child’s progression. Parents can follow along with their child's learning journey with their Interactive Learning Journey. Photos, videos and messages are uploaded to show what children have been enjoying each week.