'Our amazing staff are passionate and dedicated to making sure children are safe and engaged'

Our Ethos

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Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential.

At Whitehill Nursery School, we are fully aware that children develop quickly in the early years and a child’s experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future chances. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right, but also good parenting and high quality early learning together provide the foundation children need to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up. We also run an After School Club and a Holiday Club as part of an extended school service.

Our Guiding Principles

Four guiding principles should shape practice in early years settings. These are:

Principle 1

Every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.

Principle 3

Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.
Children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carers.

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Principle 2

Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.

Principle 4

Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates. The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities.

To learn more about your child’s learning and development in the early foundation years, see the “What to Expect, When?” guide set by the Department of Education.

OFSTED Report

Following our latest Ofsted inspection in May 2016, the quality and standards of our early years provision has been rated as OUTSTANDING.

We have been rated as Outstanding in all four areas of the inspection criteria which include:

1. Effectiveness of the leadership and management

2. Quality of teaching, learning and assessment

3. Personal development, behaviour and welfare

4. Outcomes for children 

To view the complete inspection report, CLICK HERE.

We are delighted to announce that in February 2023, Whitehill Nursery School retained its five star rating award for food hygiene

Quality Assurance

Whitehill Nursery School was awarded the prestigious Pre School Learning Alliance Accreditation Quality Assurance Award in January 2003. Quality Assurance Schemes are frameworks that enable childcare providers to work towards and demonstrate measurable, high standards of quality that go above and beyond the minimum standards regulated by OFSTED.

The Launchpad to Quality

The Launchpad to Quality was developed in 2009 with the purpose of enabling early years and childcare providers to develop skills of self-evaluation and to improve their quality. The emphasis is on PRACTICE, not paperwork.

The Launchpad to Quality is a tool aimed primarily at enabling a setting to:

Who's Who - Meet Our Amazing People

Our staff are incredibly passionate and dedicated to ensuring that children are safe and engaged. All our staff have been trained in Paediatric First Aid and Safeguarding.

Nehal Vara

Nehal Vara

Owner/Director

Experience & Qualifications

I entered the childcare industry when I bought Whitehill Nursery in 2016. I have a strong background in Finance with excellent knowledge in business, having worked in Finance for over 20 years. I decided that it was time for a change. Being a mother inspired me to work with children and encourage their development and progress in a positive way. Paediatric First Aid Trained.
Hannah Fox

Hannah Bell

Nursery, Afterschool & Holiday Club Manager

Experience & Qualifications

I have been working at Whitehill Nursery since September 2011. I hold a Level 3 qualification in childcare. I enjoy messy activities with the children and playing games. Paediatric First Aid Trained.
Linda Gill

Linda Gill

SENCO Lead/Qualified Nursery Assistant

Experience & Qualifications

I started at Whitehill Nursery in 2006 as a Level 3 qualified Nursery assistant. I then qualified as SENCO and more recently as a Licensed THRIVE Practitioner. Away from work, I enjoy gardening, reading and spending time with my daughters. Paediatric First Aid Trained.

Lilly Roberts

SENCO/Room Leader & Afterschool Club & Holiday Club Assistant

Experience & Qualifications

Angela Barton

Angela Barton

Qualified Nursery Assistant

Experience & Qualifications

After a period of childminding, I joined Whitehill Nursery and qualified in Level 3. I have attended many courses over the past 14 years. I enjoy seeing many of my past children as young adults. I like, walking, swimming and gardening. Paediatric First Aid Trained.
Angie Wooldridge

Angie Wooldridge

Qualified Nursery Assistant

Experience & Qualifications

I have worked in Early Years for almost 10 years, having joined Whitehill Nursery in 2009. I hold NVQ 2 CCLD. I particularly enjoy creative and story based activities. I love to see the children progress in their learning development during their time with us. Paediatric First Aid Trained.
Charlotte Allan

Charlotte Allan

Apprentice Nursery Practitioner

Experience & Qualifications

I have recently joined the Whitehill Nursery as a Lunchtime Assistant and am enjoying working with the children. I am hoping to study towards an NVQ Level 2 in the near future.

Catherine Turner

Room Leader

Experience & Qualifications

I have over 12 years of experience working with Early Years Education in a range of roles. I am Level 2 qualified Nursery Assistant and trained in ELKLAN Speech & Language Support for 3-5 year olds. I enjoy arts and crafts in my leisure time. Paediatric First Aid Trained.
Alex Willingale

Alex Willingale

Individual Learning Assistant (ILA)

Experience & Qualifications

My role at the Nursery is an Individual Learning Assistant, working closely with Miss Gill, our SENCO Lead. I gained my PGCE in 2006 and went into Primary School Teaching until I had my own children. Paediatric First Aid Trained.

Bethany Chipps

Nursery Apprentice

Experience & Qualifications

Kerry Wright

Kerry Wright

Lunchtime Assistant

Experience & Qualifications

I have worked at Whitehill Nursery for the past 4 years as a Lunchtime Assistant. I enjoy working with children and often cover staff holidays & sicknesses. I am Level 2 Qualified and enjoy reading stories and playing with the children.

Joshua Cutter

Lunchtime Assistant

Experience & Qualifications

Experience & Qualifications

Experience & Qualifications

Experience & Qualifications