"OUTSTANDING" NURSERY (Ofsted 2007)

After a surprise inspection in September 2007, The Manor's Nursery provision was awarded Ofsted's highest accolade of “outstanding”.  Ofsted reported that:

- “The quality and standards of the nursery education are outstanding”
- “The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding”
- “The partnership with parents and carers is outstanding”
- “Leadership and management are outstanding”
- "The behaviour of children is superb”.

To read the full Ofsted Report, please click here. 

Set in a wonderfully spacious, colourful, purpose-built environment, our Nursery forms an integral part of The Manor’s Pre-Prep Department and is a happy and secure stepping stone for each child’s future in school. It is self-contained with its own outside play areas with a wonderful outlook onto the School’s playing fields.  (Do take a virtual tour of our Nursery).

Our aim in Nursery is for children to learn through play and discovery and receive a firm foundation in social, creative, linguistic, mathematical and physical development. Together these make up the Early Learning Goals of the Foundation Stage Curriculum which extends from Nursery into our two Reception Classes.

We offer a fun packed week of planned activities which develop skills and understanding through play. The children are presented with a wide range of practical experiences which are intended to motivate, stimulate and challenge. We promote learning through experience and encouragement of independence. Our excellent staff/pupil ratio allows children to develop as individuals and be supported or challenged according to their needs in very caring surroundings.

We consider that the best arrangement for pupils is five mornings per week, as this provides for the greatest amount of continuity in your child's education and the full programme of activities. However, we do realise that for some parents - particularaly those who work part-time and may wish to have their child at home for one or more days per week - a more flexible arrangement is preferable, particularly as it can be increased during the year. To ensure that each child in our care benefits as fully as possible from our nursery education, we encourage all children to attend a minimum of four sessions each week, of which three must be in the morning. The Nursery is, however, open during the afternoons and children are welcome to attend for as many afternoons as their parents wish.

Children move from Nursery to Reception and to encourage a natural and seamless progression. Nursery and Reception often meet together for their own assemblies and to share experiences such as outside theatre groups visiting the School.

We also try to ensure that these very young children have the opportunity to experience their new environment before starting Nursery. Most Wednesdays from 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm we have a FREE open Nursery Taster Session (view upcoming dates), designed for children under three years of age. Parents are an essential part of these sessions which build up children’s confidence and eagerness to join the Nursery. Once children reach the age of three they are welcome to join our Pre-Nursery programme which runs on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1.15 pm to 3.45 pm when parents can leave their children to join in the normal nursery afternoon activities helping to make them feel fully at home in preparation for joining the Nursery.

"Thank you for all your hard work and dedication, you really do have a wonderful team of staff who provide the most oustanding care.  The warm and friendly atmosphere at nursery is a joy.  We will always highly recommend The Manor nursery and school to other prospective parents".  Current Nursery Parent 2007/8

Please click here to see more photographs.