Should our young learners embark upon an educational journey that sees them through university, then we are meeting them at the start of a two-decade long adventure. To sustain anything for that long requires more than just a good work ethic and a stellar environment – it requires a passion and love of what you do. In this case, that means a passion to learn, a thirst for knowledge and the curiosity to keep going, even when things get tricky.
This is what we want for our Early Years (Nursery & Reception) children at Pinewood, and the culture we create ensures that they feel secure, confident and happy at school. Once we have this, then all of the academic success and personal growth flow much more readily throughout their time with us at Pinewood.
Our Nursery and Reception classrooms wrap around our Early Years Courtyard, the focal point of our learning environment. We want the children to be independent learners, exploring their creativity and testing their ideas as they flow in and out of the classrooms. Within the Pinewood Early Years we have children aged between 3 and 5 years old, and any parents will know that the difference between a 3 year old and a 5 year old is vast. Our dedicated and experienced Early Years team are adept, however, at tailoring the learning and the environment to ensure that each and every child makes progress, relishing the opportunity to uncover their potential.
Our Nursery and Reception classes will share stories and ideas as a class, explore concepts through practical activities in small groups, or work 1:1 with our wonderful teachers – all whilst having the freedom to be children. Harnessing rather than denting the natural curiosity inherent in young children.
Mistakes are an important part of learning, and never more so than in the Early Years. We encourage the children to be confident to try new things and take risks. Mistakes are an inevitable part of risk taking but, equally, an essential part of success and growth. We celebrate those mistakes in the Early Years and ensure that the children at Pinewood keep trying new things and pushing themselves.
At such a young age, alongside academic development, is the children’s personal growth – their character, their values and how they interact with others. In the Pinewood Pre-Prep we have one singular value: Kindness. Kindness to others, Kindness to yourself and Kindness to your surroundings. A value that can so often be overlooked, but is of the utmost importance. We celebrate it throughout the Early Years, ensuring that the children learn to base the way they interact with the world around them around this core value.
The joy of being part of the Early Years at Pinewood is that you are on the first rung of a wonderful journey through our school. The older children adore supporting our youngest learners, with the Prep children running picture book clubs or planning and leading STEM lessons to inspire the Early Years pupils. To leave Pinewood at the end of Year 8 sets you up as a lifelong learner, with a strong moral compass and a sense of joy in all you do. All of that success, though, begins in the Early Years.
Pupils in Nursery and Reception follow the Foundation Stage curriculum seven areas of learning: Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Communication & Language; Physical Development; Literacy; Mathematics; Understanding the World; Expressive Arts & Design. They share a weekly Early Years Assembly and perform together in the Christmas Nativity. The Golden Rules of the EYFS and Pre-Prep form an important part of pupils’ lives, learning how to respect and help each other in all that they do. Responsibility is fostered through the opportunity to be the ‘Helping Hand’ of the week and an opportunity to be part of the Pupil Council.
Children may join Nursery in the term that they turn 3 years old on either a full-time or part-time basis. There are ten sessions in the week, five in the morning and five in the afternoon. The morning session runs from 8.10am – 11.50am and the afternoon session runs from 11.50am – 3.15pm. Children who stay for the afternoon session will receive lunch. The number of sessions children attend depends on their needs and availability, with all children required to do a minimum of 3 sessions. Children are accepted at any point throughout the year.
The day begins for Nursery with a variety of sensory activities and imaginative play. Throughout the day a gentle structure introduces them to the curriculum and allows for the development of literacy and numeracy skills. Pupils also enjoy sharing time, dance and drama, and a range of outdoor activities and games.
From the September after their fourth birthday, children enter Reception as full-time pupils. Reception pupils are considered to be members of the Early Years section of Pinewood, but they are also important members of the Pre-Prep department. They join Years 1 and 2 in a range of assemblies each week and share Pre-Prep facilities. This all works towards a smooth transition into Key Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2).
We operate the County Council’s Nursery Education Funding Scheme for eligible children in the Nursery and Reception. Please contact the School Office for more details.
