Nursery
The Oakwood School Nursery welcomes children from two and a half (once toilet trained). Great care is taken to welcome and settle each child and there is a wonderful family atmosphere in the Nursery as well as a great sense of fun. All the Nursery team are Early Years qualified and bring a wealth of enthusiasm and experience to our setting. The Nursery is led by Miss Chloe Reed, an experienced Early Years Practitioner.
Our Nursery operates a 'Key Person' system providing one particular member of staff who takes responsibility for your child. This helps both the child and the parent with continuity and a sense of belonging. It also helps both staff members and parents to build good rapport with each other. We have an excellent staff/pupil ratio of 1:4 throughout the children's time in Nursery. This allows us to really know our children and develop wonderful relationships with them.
We believe the first step in a child's time at school should be a happy time for our families. Therefore, we offer flexibility regarding session times. Children may attend for full days, mornings only or an extended morning with lunch. We do ask that children attend for a minimum of two mornings per week allowing them to properly settle into life at Nursery. For those parents needing extended care, we offer breakfast and after school club. In addition, Camp Little Oaks operates throughout most weeks of the school holidays providing a similar structure as term time and run by Oakwood Early Years qualified staff.
The children take part in a great variety of activities, including dance, P.E., music lessons, cookery, art, French lessons, outdoor learning and swimming, taught by specialist teachers. A large emphasis is placed on building a solid foundation of social skills and a love of learning, which enables the children to settle confidently to school life.
The Nursery is accommodated in its own cosy building close to the Pre-Prep part of the school. There is a secure garden with outdoor play facilities, as well as a covered play area ensuring that children can venture outside in most weathers. Nursery children make full use of the school facilities such as the gymnasium, theatre and wonderful playing fields.
Children in the Nursery use the fabulous Woodland Walk on a regular basis, so that they can explore the environment around them. Each term we focus on a particular topic (such as weather, pets or seasons). As well as an opportunity to enjoy books and crafts around that subject, our beautiful grounds allow a magical space to explore and learn. Additionally, we take the opportunity each term to take our children off site for a class trip. Past trips have included The Library, Pets at Home, Amberley Working Museum and the beach.
Hot lunch is served in the Nursery every day, cooked by our in-house catering team. Children are encouraged to try the great variety of food on offer while enjoying a family atmosphere with their friends and teachers. Our catering team are able to support any individual dietary needs.
Our Nursery and Kindergarten Team work well together providing a seamless transition to your child's next step at Oakwood.
We recognise that working parents rely on our wrap around care provision within the academic year and in school holidays. During term time, children from Nursery upwards are welcome to join Breakfast Club from 7.45am where they enjoy a varied breakfast (toast, cereal, juice and a special treat such as pancakes on a Friday) and then taken are to their classroom by our caring staff. After School care, including a light tea (sandwiches and fruit), is available daily until 6pm. We offer provision for pre-school children for 50 weeks of the year (excluding the last week of August and the week between Christmas and New Year). This is through our in-house holiday camp, Camp Little Oaks which is for children in Nursery, Kindergarten and in Reception up to the age of five years old. Oakwood staff run Camp Little Oaks so the children are familiar with the team and enjoy similar activities to term time. Our flexible booking system is appreciated by our parents who may wish to vary arrangements week by week during the holidays.