Nursery and Reception (Age 2.8 to 5): Foundation Stage

Welcome to the Foundation Stage, the stage which encompasses nursery (First Steps), Kindergarten and Reception. We provide plenty of opportunities for children to have rich, stimulating experiences in our carefully planned and well organised environments.

The very youngest pupils join First Steps in the term in which they turn three (2 years 8 months). The First Steps room is warm and friendly, full of colour and activity stations, as well as a cosy corner in which to snuggle up to read a story.

The Kindergarten room (age 3+) is a larger room full of exciting areas, such as painting and sticking corners, sand and water play and toys to promote thinking skills. 

Reception pupils start in the September in which they turn four and the pupils enjoy a wider variety of themed days, school trips and activities, as well as a lively curriculum which really does put in the best foundation for future learning.

All our Foundation Stage pupils benefit from the Prep School facilities and learn so much by the example of the older pupils. As well as moving to the Dining Room for lunch, Foundation Stage pupils also use the senior school gym for their weekly gym class, thus providing a wide variety of stimulating environments during the day.

There is also great inter-action between the year groups. The whole of the Foundation Stage joins together for lunch each day and every Friday our Kindergarten and First Steps children take part in PE, followed by music lessons when the sound of singing, tambourines and sleigh bells fills the Kindergarten room.

A wonderful, safe and secure playground packed full of outdoor toys and equipment means that the Foundation Stage children are motivated, stimulated and given the chance to explore every minute of the day.