The earliest days at school are the cornerstone for a child’s educational journey and, for some years, Elmhurst has enjoyed supporting families with their transition to school through the pre-school class.
In April this year, responding to increasing demand for early years provision in the area, we opened Little Elmhurst – a day nursery supporting children from 6 months old until they are ready to join the school. The move has enabled us to offer parents a convenient and supportive environment for younger siblings, as well as bring new families to the school.
With waiting lists now in place for some rooms, Mrs King, our Nursery Manager, and the team have done a tremendous job of setting up a strong offer for the children in their care. Little Elmhurst is a wonderful, calm, home from home environment where the children benefit from being known and regularly interact with school staff too.
Mrs King shares her thoughts on the journey so far and the benefits of a school nursery for our families in a short interview with the Head.
Head: Tell me how the first few months have been going?
Mrs King: It’s been great! The youngest Little Elmhurst learner joined us in April at just nine months old and we’ve seen them for their first birthday, first steps, first friendships already. It’s so special knowing that you’ll get to watch their journey all the way through the school and a privilege rarely enjoyed in a nursery setting.
Head: For parents that are thinking about Little Elmhurst, what do you think that we’re able to offer the children that may be differs from other nurseries in the area
Mrs King: The children are prepared for school as soon as they start with us. There is no transition because the children get used to the teachers, they get used to sessions, they get used to a school routine. Everything is built up really gently – with the pre-reception going off into school physically as well as being prepared in their learning and independence. I just can’t stress how important and how lovely that is for them because School is a massive thing for children and for our children that they just go off and it’s the next room – you know there’s no transition. We prepare them so well to go off into that and that starts for babies to make them brilliant from the beginning and being able to go through the journey with us and be confident and ready for the next thing so they feel fabulous.
Head: Since opening you have obviously had to build the Little Elmhurst nursery team. Can you tell me a little bit about the staff team?
Mrs King: We agreed from the beginning that it is the staff that make the school and in recruiting our nursery team we have sought out practitioners with a common focus on doing what’s best for the child. We are building a team that gel well together and we all have the same passion for what we want these young people to achieve, which means that no matter where your child is placed with us, we all have the same outcomes in mind. The children know they are loved and are welcome. Everybody ensures that these children that they’re taken care of really well, all the time getting ready for those next steps.
Actually, that philosophy of readiness is one that runs right through Elmhurst – we are always looking to prepare the children each year for the next stage so that they feel ready for whatever comes next. Brilliant beginnings paves the way for successful outcomes.
