The Perfect Start

Within the secure, friendly environment of our Nursery and Reception classes the children are given time to explore, investigate and experiment.

The Nursery class at Grimsdell is for 3 to 4 year olds and is based around morning or afternoon sessions. The Nursery Teacher and her two assistants provide a programme of play activities which offers variety and is flexible enough to be appropriate developmentally, to each child's age and maturity. The children work individually and in small or large groups, following a topic based curriculum using the Early Learning Goals as a framework. Pre-reading and pre-number skills are introduced ready for transition into our three full time Reception classes. The Nursery is an integral part of the school and all the facilities are used to the full.

Our approach in Reception combines the traditional skills of reading, writing and mathematics with the breadth and balance offered by an enhanced National Curriculum. Each Reception teacher has a full time assistant. Individual attention is maximised through small class sizes, which allow for pupils to be given the one-to-one attention necessary for happiness and development. The Reception classrooms are large and airy each providing space for quiet reading, writing, computer skills (each class has its own computer), creative and play areas. A two-year topic cycle is followed throughout Reception so the children have many exciting opportunities offered by learning through Science, Technology, computing, Art, P.E. and Music. Our Early Years outside play area provides challenge and adventure, sand and water as well as quiet areas for drawing and reading.