'Giving every child the best start and support in life'
PLEASE NOTE: We are now closed until further guidance from the government is received. We will keep our parents updated via this page, facebook and email
Welcome to Whitehill Nursery School. The Nursery School, together with, Whitehill After School Club and Whitehill Holiday Club are services provided by Whitehill Childcare Services Limited. We have been operating within Ashdown Primary School since 1999.
In 2010, Ofsted rated us as “Outstanding” in all 17 categories – a unique achievement. In May 2016, we recieved our second outstanding Ofstead rating. We are delighted to announce that in March 2020, the Nursery School received its third Ofsted Rating as an Outstanding Provider.
Our mission is to provide the best support and start in life for every child.
Why people love us!
We're Outstanding!
In July 2010 the Nursery School achieved the highest grade from Ofsted of “Outstanding” in all 17 categories, a unique achievement. In May 2016 Nursery School received its second outstanding Ofsted rating, and in March 2020 it received its third Ofsted You can download the full Ofsted report by clicking here.
Our Nursery School
The Nursery School has two ground floor main rooms, toilet facilities, kitchen and enclosed outdoor play areas consisting of a tarmac safety surface and grassed area. In addition children have access to the school library, hall, ICT room, nature and playground areas with activity trail and climbing wall.
Small is More!
A maximum of 50 children may attend the Nursery School at any one time. It is open each day from 8:30am to 3:00pm during term time with three hour morning and afternoon sessions. There are usually over 120 children aged from two to under five attending the Nursery School on a weekly basis.
Supporting you, and your child's needs
We accept children who receive Early Years Education Entitlement (EYEE) funding. The Nursery School supports children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and also supports children who speak English as an additional language (EAL). The Nursery School receives support from the Local Authority and has been accredited by the Pre-School Learning Alliance since January 2003.
After School Club (2-12 years of age)
Whitehill After School Club offers 25 places per session with dedicated experienced and qualified staff supervising at all times. We are open 3–6pm (Monday – Friday) during school term times and provide numerous activities, projects and experiences to ensure that all children who attend have a wonderful break from school. For further information on these services, please visit: www.whitehillafterschoolclub.com
Holiday Club (2-12 years of age)
Whitehill Holiday Club offers 50 places per session with dedicated, experienced and qualified staff supervising at all times. We are open 8am – 6pm (Monday - Friday) during all school holidays (except Christmas) and provide numerous activities, projects and experiences to ensure that all children who attend have a wonderful break from school. For further information on these services, please visit: www.whitehillholidayclub.com
Our commitment to children's learning and development
Consulting Parents
We appreciate that children will have had a wealth of experiences before they attend the Nursery School and understand the need to consult with parents and listen to their account of their child’s development and any concerns which they may already have.
Identifying Early Child Needs
We appreciate that there will be a small number of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage who have special educational needs or disabilities that will require specific provision, such as specialist teaching, adapted equipment or support from an adult for particular activities. It is important that these children are identified as soon as possible and appropriate support provided. Other children may be more able and need activities that offer an appropriate challenge.
Children’s Learning and Development
It is our commitment to provide children with activities and experiences to ensure that every child receives an enjoyable and challenging learning and development experience. It is our intention to provide a well-planned and resourced framework to take their learning forward and to provide opportunities for all children to succeed in an atmosphere of care and of feeling valued.
Monitoring Children's Progress
We understand the importance of monitoring each child’s progress throughout the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure that they are making progress and that any particular difficulties in any of the six areas of learning (whatever the cause), are identified and addressed. Monitoring of each child’s progress throughout the Early Years Foundation Stage will also ensure that their achievements can be celebrated.
What we do, and how we do it
As a provider, registered with Ofsted, we understand the importance of delivering a full and varied framework to support the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). We do this by ensuring that:
Each child is in a safe and stimulating environment.
Each child is given generous care and attention, because of our ratio of qualified staff to children, as well as volunteer parent helpers.
Each child has the chance to join with other children and adults to live, play, work and learn together.
How we provide for development and learning
Our Nursery School reflects the four key themes and 16 commitments of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Children start to learn about the world around them from the moment they are born. The care and education offered by our Nursery School helps children to continue to do this by providing all of the children with interesting activities that are appropriate for their age and stage of development.
All children, irrespective of ethnicity, culture or religion, home language, family background, learning difficulties or disabilities, gender or ability should have the opportunity to experience a challenging and enjoyable programme of learning and development.
The practice guidance also sets out in ‘Development Matters’ the likely stages of progress a child makes along their learning journey towards the early learning goals. Our Nursery School has regard to these matters when we assess children and plan for their learning within the six areas.
For each area, the practice guidance sets out the Early Learning Goals. These goals state what it is expected that children will know and be able to do by the end of the reception year of their education.
What people say!
