Our thriving Nursery and Pre-School provides a caring family atmosphere that encourages children to grow in confidence and to develop their understanding and skills through a broad variety of learning experiences. Our emphasis is firmly on ensuring the children’s happiness, providing the safe and secure environment that they need to grow and prosper. Our children explore and develop their curiosity and imagination to help them make sense of their world.

In September 2013, we opened our new Early Years Centre. Our existing Nursery building was incorporated into a new, purpose-built facility for all Early Years Foundation Stage children with a wide range of resources for indoor and outdoor work and play. This new development has ensured that our provision for our younger pupils matches the highest expectations of early years’ education and provide the best possible starting point for their career as full-time pupils of the school.

The children’s development is carefully guided by a highly experienced team of qualified practitioners. Their programme is organised around the key areas of early learning but children are helped to develop at their own individual pace. Structured play and self-expression in a secure environment, where every individual is valued, prepare children to face the demands of more formal education with confidence. Our learning environment aims to develop a child’s capacity to reason and communicate effectively. Increasingly, children are encouraged to respond to different intellectual, emotional and sensory experiences. The Nursery is equipped with a wide range of toys and educational resources to help this development. Children’s progress is carefully monitored and recorded by key workers. Staff/pupil ratios are excellent and children are encouraged to develop independence and awareness of the needs of others as they grow.

We involve parents closely in their children’s education. Close liaison is important in ensuring a child’s happiness and progress. Staff are always available at the beginning and end of the day to talk to parents, show them pupils’ work and help them share in the children’s experience of each day.

The Nursery has been consistently highly rated in Ofsted inspections and older children are eligible to receive a nursery allowance towards their childcare costs. Many children will join the Nursery at the beginning of an academic term but we are happy to enrol children throughout the year and changes to their hours of attendance will be considered whenever possible.

The Nursery is open for full-time pupils between 8.00 am – 6.00 pm throughout term time. Younger children will usually begin by attending half-day sessions and gradually build up to full-time. A balanced and healthy lunch is served each day in the school dining hall. An extensive and flexible programme of pre-school and after-school care is also available.

All children in the Nursery benefit from our covered outdoor area, our sensory garden, the school hall/gym and the computer areas. They also enjoy growing their own vegetables in our organic garden.

Nursery (aged 2-3 years)

The nursery is housed in a purpose-built accommodation with two bright, attractive and welcoming rooms. 

In Nursery our emphasis is on learning through play and social interaction, although we do introduce more structured activities as children progress, with increasing concentration on the prime areas of physical, personal, social and emotional development. Children enjoy activities in art and craft, practical science, music and movement and cookery.​

​Pre-School (aged 3-4 years)

By the time children enter Pre-School, they have already enjoyed a significant range of educational experiences.  Spanish, PE, dance and drama are offered to all Pre-School children to further enhance their learning.

Children are sympathetically guided through the next phase of the early years programmes of study and gradually introduced to more formal learning that makes the transition to full-time schooling as smooth as possible. Regular assessments are shared with parents and extra support is organised for children who encounter any difficulties with their learning. In their final year in the Nursery, children spend time with the Reception class teacher so that they feel comfortable and confident when they transfer to the main school.​

​Early Years Funding

2 Year Old 15 Hours Funding for Working Parents

Avalon Nursery offers limited 15 hour funded sessions for 2 year old for working parents who are eligible. Please note that parents planning for their child to continue through to Reception class will be given priority for this funding.  The first 15 hours are classed as funded hours, any sessions/hours over and above the funded hours will be charged at the non-funded session rates. Additional charges for funded sessions are snack(s), lunches and specialist activities.

The term following a child turning 3 years old, they will automatically be eligible for the universal 15 hours funding per week that all 3 and 4 years are entitled to (see details below).  Parents will not automatically be able to take the extended 15 hours funding they may be eligible for.  Parents should contact the Nursery Manager or School Business Manager to check availability of 2-year-old 15 hour funded sessions.

Universal 15 Hours Funding for All 3 and 4 Year Olds

Avalon Nursery & Pre-School offers all 3 and 4 year olds the universal early years 15 hours funded sessions.  The first 15 hours are classed as funded hours, any sessions/hours over and above these funded hours will be charged at the non-funded session rates (see above).  Additional charges for funded sessions are snack(s), lunches and specialist activities.

3 and 4 Year Olds 30 Hours Funding for Working Parents

Avalon Nursery & Pre-School offers limited 3 and 4 year olds early years 30 hour funded sessions (15 universal funded hours plus 15 extended funded hours).  Please note that parents planning for their child to continue through to Reception class will be given priority for a 30 hour funded sessions.  The first 30 hours are classed as funded hours, any sessions/hours over and above the funded hours will be charged at the non-funded session rates (see above).  Additional charges for funded sessions are snack(s), lunches and specialist activities.  Please contact the Nursery Manager or School Business Manager to check availability of 30 hour funded places.