Introduction

As any parent knows, for a small child the transition from pre-school or nursery to “real” school can be a daunting experience. Our Nursery and Pre-Prep department provides a stimulating learning environment where our youngest children and their slightly older peers are under one roof, with adjoining, but separate classrooms and facilities.

Progression
Our Foundation Stage department provides opportunities for our three to five year olds to integrate and play together, yet with a separate safe space for the youngest ones. This enables us to make the transition from Nursery into Reception a natural and smooth progression. Because everyone is in the same building, sharing facilities on an everyday basis, the strangeness of transferring disappears.

Nursery
The nursery has a main activity room, garden room with book corner and TV, plus direct access to the secure outdoor play area which is flat, with a rubberised safety surface and grass, ideal for the children to play on the trikes and other outdoor equipment. There is also a large covered outdoor play area, to give access to the fresh air whatever the weather.

Reception
The Reception classes are small, with well-planned and structured activities ensuring that school is a vibrant and stimulating environment in which the children learn. We use the Foundation Stage profile to assess progress and development. Numeracy and Literacy are key elements and so too is Knowledge and Understanding of the World, we often take the children out of the classroom to learn through real life experiences. Recently we have introduced ‘Forest school’ sessions into our curriculum, providing opportunities for active outdoor play and discovery, developing confidence and independence in all our children. PE, swimming, fun French, imaginative play, dance and regular music lessons are also an important aspect of the children’s creative and physical development.

Individual Development
At Queen’s College Pre-Prep and Nursery we recognise that each child is unique and use teaching styles that allow everyone to learn in the way that best suits them. This could be visual (seeing), auditory (hearing) or kinaesthetic (doing), and this multi-sensory approach is great fun and enriches all the children’s learning.

Our aim is to encourage children to develop into caring and responsible people, who can work and co-operate with others whilst acquiring vital knowledge and skills. Our small class sizes and family atmosphere enables us to build special relationships with the children and their parents. There is always time to listen at Queen’s, and time to give individual help to children as they need it.
For busy parents we also have time to care for your children both before school (from 8.00 am) and after school (to 5.45 pm) at no additional cost.

Extra Sessions
Our weekly Toddler sessions have proved to be very popular with our pre-nursery children and babies. Our Music with Mummy sessions for 1-3 year olds run every Tuesday from 2pm followed by a Stay & Play time until 3.30pm. On Thursdays we also have Socatots for walkers to 3 year olds from 2.00-2.45pm. Both sessions take place in our Pre-Prep and Nursery hall. For more details please phone 01823 340810 or email eh@queenscollge.