Early Years · 20 months to 4 years
Play is the work
A day in English, much of it outside, most of it playing. We follow the British EYFS framework: we watch what each child is ready for, then set it up.
Two groups
Nursery and Kindergarten
Nursery mornings are short bursts of learning: a story, a song, a puzzle. Then lunch, a nap and a gentle afternoon.
Kindergarten starts every day outside, then phonics and maths, then literacy. After the nap comes Understanding the World: science and geography for four-year-olds.
Both groups pick up English from the room. Most of our youngest children arrive with none.
Monday to Friday
A day in Early Years
Busy mornings, a long nap, a gentle afternoon.
- Drop-offUntil 8:30
- Outside playThen phonics and maths in Kindergarten
- Snack and play
- Stories and literacy
- Lunch and a napTwo hours, in their own cot
- Afternoon sessionUnderstanding the World in Kindergarten
- Pick-upAfter-care until 16:30, for a fee
Nursery follows the same rhythm, with play and stories in place of the Kindergarten lessons. Compare every stage's day.
Starting gently
A few mornings with you first
- You stay
For the first few days a parent stays for outdoor time in the morning, then takes their child home.
- Shorter days
Then a little longer each day, building up as your child settles.
- The full day
Once settled, it is a full-time program. Tuition is the same however many days your child comes.
What we watch for
Four areas, every day
Social and emotional skills
Sharing, waiting, saying what you need, calming down.
Physical development
Climbing, balancing, pouring, cutting, drawing. Every day, on the turf and in the sand.
Language and literacy
Stories, songs and a lot of conversation in English. Phonics starts when a child is curious about letters, not before.
Mathematics and reasoning
Counting real things, sorting, spotting shapes and patterns.
Questions parents ask
Does my child need any English to start?
No. Most of our youngest children arrive with none. They pick it up from the room.
Can we start with a few days a week?
At first, yes: most children start with short days, as above. Once settled it is a full-time program, and tuition is the same however many days your child comes. We take children from 20 months.
What about nappies and naps?
Nappies are fine. Please send spare nappies and wipes, a change of clothes and a plastic bag. There is a two-hour nap every day, and each child has their own cot.
What time is pick-up?
15:15. After-care until 16:30 is available for an extra fee. Drop-off is from 8:00 to 8:30.
Is there a progress report?
Yes. Early Years families get a written progress report describing what their child is exploring and what comes next.
Come and see the sand pit.
Bring your child. A visit during the morning is the best way to see whether they settle.