Nursery Department

Early Years Foundation Stage

The Nursery was established in January 2009 for girls and boys aged 3 and 4 and fosters a gentle, friendly, happy and relaxed atmosphere where young children learn to relate to one another and to adults through play-based activities, laying the foundations of independence and learning.

Set in the Old School House, Princes Road, the Nursery enjoys two large purpose built school rooms divided into learning areas: creative, maths and literacy, construction, role-play, ICT, home corner, quiet room and two outdoor play areas.

As part of King’s House, the Nursery benefits from the many resources available including weekly music lessons with a specialist teacher from the Junior Department and an introduction to French with a French language specialist.

Nursery activities are underpinned by sound education theory and follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.

The Foundation Stage:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development:
The Nursery provides opportunities for children to develop confidence through building strong relationships with both staff and peers. Children learn to work and play, to co-operate and respond positively to each other in a close and friendly environment.

Communication, Language and Literacy:

The Nursery provides opportunities for children to develop and extend their communication skills through daily activities. Role-play, circle time, rhyme and musical activities, books and practical experiences allow all children to develop in this area. Children are introduced to the Jolly Phonics learning scheme, encouraging early literacy skills.

Problem solving, Reasoning and Numeracy:

Mathematical confidence and understanding are promoted through stories, songs, games and imaginative play so that children enjoy using and experimenting with numbers, calculations, shapes and measures.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World:

Children are given the best opportunities to develop effectively their knowledge and understanding of the world through a wide range of activities, both indoors and outdoors, using the school environment to stimulate learning. Children are encouraged to become aware of differences in gender, ethnicity, language, religion and culture.

Physical Development:

With the extensive use of the two playgrounds, children will be encouraged to be active and to develop their skills of co-ordination, control and movement. In the indoor environment, children learn fine motor control and manipulative skills. A positive attitude towards a healthy and active way of life is also emphasised.

Creative Development:

All children are encouraged to have a holistic approach to creative development through art, music, drama and imaginative play. Children are given time to explore new ideas with self chosen resources, enabling them to use all their senses.

The Nursery will seek to achieve the following:

To teach each child about sharing and being part of a group.
To teach children to respect themselves and others.
To provide for each child the most suitable resources for their stage of development.
To encourage each child to be kind and compassionate to others.
To allow each child to learn through fun and pleasurable activities.
To encourage language and communication with other children and adults.
To help each child with the skill and co-ordination required to control writing tools.
To introduce phonics as part of the literacy programme.
To help each child with understanding the basic concepts of mathematics, including length, weight and volume.
To teach children about their five senses and how to use them.
To help children recognise and identify shapes, colours and sounds.
To help children understand their own bodies.
To encourage a love and understanding of the natural world.
To provide a greater understanding of other parts of the world and different cultures from their own.
To encourage a positive attitude towards a healthy and active way of life
To encourage expression through art, music, dance and imaginative play.
To encourage each child to persevere, without fearing being wrong.

The principal objective is to provide quality learning experiences for all children, which are broad, balanced and child-centred, thus ensuring a happy introduction to school life. With a high staff to pupil ratio our children become confident little learners, understand kindness and courtesy and develop friendships and respect for others.

To register your son or daughter for the Nursery Department please contact the school Registrar, Sally Bass on bass.s@kingshouseschool.org or 020 8940 1878.