Where girls Aspire To Be More
Welcome
Dear Parents,
A very warm welcome to Alderley Edge School for Girls Nursery and Pre-School! We are absolutely delighted that you have chosen to become part of our close-knit community. It is an exciting time as your child embarks on their educational journey with us, and we feel privileged to support both you and your daughter in this special chapter of her life.
At AESG, we take great pride in offering a nurturing, welcoming, and inclusive environment where each child is celebrated for their individuality. Our dedicated team is passionate about providing a safe space where your child can explore, play, and develop at their own pace. We are committed to fostering their confidence, independence, and curiosity, laying a solid foundation for a lifetime of learning, both in and outside the classroom.
Our Nursery and Pre-School curriculum is thoughtfully designed to support the emotional, social, and academic growth of every child. Through a combination of structured activities and creative free play, we encourage exploration, problem-solving, and social interaction in a way that feels natural and joyful. We want every child to feel at home here, to thrive in their own unique way, and to feel confident in their abilities.
In this booklet, you’ll find all the essential information you need to help your daughter settle in and begin to enjoy all that our Nursery and Pre-School have to offer Whether it’s details on daily routines, the curriculum, or practical information about life at AESG, we have included everything to ensure a smooth and seamless transition for both you and your child.
We look forward to working together with you to provide the very best possible start to your daughter’s learning journey We are here to support you every step of the way and are always available to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Warmest regards,
Mrs Sharon Bathurst Head of Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
Our Mission
At Alderley Edge School for Girls Nursery & Pre-School, we believe in a child-centred approach that focuses on each girls’ unique needs, interests, and pace of learning.
Our mission is to create a warm, supportive, and stimulating environment where your daughter will feel safe, valued, and ready to explore. With a rich curriculum designed around the EYFS framework, we focus on fostering curiosity, creativity and a love for learning through play-based and hands-on activities Our vibrant classrooms and outdoor spaces are thoughtfully designed to encourage exploration and social interaction, ensuring each child can develop their unique talents and abilities.
Our Team
Mrs Bathurst Head of EYFS
“I am passionate about Early Years education and appreciate how learning can take place both indoors and outdoors, offering children the chance to explore, investigate, and lead their own learning. Constantly reading about current developments, I seek inspiration from leading Early Years educators to ensure AESG stays at the forefront of changes in legislation, guidance, and research on child development. I also love building relationships with families, as communication is key in planning a curriculum that reflects the children’s interests. Outside of school, I enjoy sailing on the Solent and along the South Coast with my husband on our boat, Dragonfly, as well as yoga, walking in the countryside, and spending time with family and friends.”
“Hello! I have deep fascination for child development and the diverse ways children learn Observing each child's unique approach to learning is something I truly enjoy. I challenge myself to understand their individual characters and interests, aiming to bring out the best in every child. I'm deeply enthused about how the brain develops, and how everyday experiences and relationships strongly help shape a child's knowledge, beliefs, and behaviours in the earliest years of life Outside of school, I'm quite the socialite! I love engaging in various activities, from escape rooms to rock climbing. My husband and I have a wonderful dog who is the centre of our world. She accompanies us everywhere, especially on our campervan adventures. We love exploring the beautiful landscapes of England, Scotland, Wales, and the Outer Hebrides..”
Mrs Barber Nursery & Pre-School Manager
Early Years Practitioners: Mrs Harrall, Mrs Yates, Mrs Lafferty and Mrs Wood
How We Learn
We deliver a well-planned, exciting, engaging and innovative curriculum that meets the needs of each child, at their own pace. Our small class sizes, with high adult to child ratio helps the girls develop their own talents through gentle encouragement and positive praise They have access to a broad and balanced curriculum which encourages a variety of theme days, trips and visits to engage their learning. The girls are given a solid foundation which focuses on giving them a tool kit of learning to take with them.
Learning takes place with a balance of adult led and child initiated play across two rooms, with four practitioners (including a Nursery Manager)
Specialist Teaching
For the majority of the time, girls learn and play with the Early Years Practitioners. In addition to this Pre-School have PE with specialist PE Teacher.
Girls in the Nursery and Pre-School also have dedicated time in our beautiful Forest School where they benefit from time outdoors, exploring nature and learning how to use tools.
P.E.
PE is taught on Mondays and Thursdays
The girls bring their PE kits into school so that they can use the opportunity to practise getting dressed
The EYFS Curriculum
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
The Early Years Foundation Stage is organised into seven areas of learning. All the areas are important and interconnected. Three areas particularly crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning and for building their capacity to learn. They are Communication and Language, Personal, Social and Emotional Development and Physical Development.
Personal, Social, and Emotional Development (PSED)
This area focuses on helping children develop a strong sense of self, build confidence, and form positive relationships with others, as well as learning to manage their emotions and behaviour.
Communication and Language
Encouraging children to develop listening, speaking, and understanding skills, this area supports them in expressing themselves, expanding their vocabulary, and developing language comprehension in a variety of contexts.
Physical Development
Children are supported in developing both fine and gross motor skills, learning how to control and coordinate their movements, and gaining an understanding of healthy lifestyles and physical wellbeing
Literacy
This area focuses on fostering early reading and writing skills, including developing an understanding of phonics, building vocabulary, and encouraging a love for books and stories.
Mathematics
Children learn about numbers, shapes, space, and measure, developing an understanding of mathematical concepts through practical activities, problem-solving, and play.
Understanding the World
In this area, children explore the world around them, learning about people, communities, the natural world, and technology, helping them develop a curiosity and understanding of how things work.
Expressive Arts and Design
Encouraging creativity, this area supports children in exploring and expressing themselves through a variety of media, such as art, music, dance, and imaginative play, fostering imagination and selfexpression.
Nursery and Pre-School is open for 50 weeks of the year (excluding bank holidays), closing for two weeks at Christmas. It will be open from 7.30am to 6pm. A term time only option will still remain if this is your preference.
We have three session options, as per below:
Mornings (7.30am - 1pm)
School Day (7.30am - 3.15pm)
Extended Day (7.30am - 6pm)
We offer 15 free Government Funded hours, starting the term after your daughter turns three years old. Further details on this and for a full breakdown of fees, please visit out website (aesg.co.uk)
A minimum of two full days or three mornings is required in Nursery and either three full days or five mornings in Pre-School.
Starting At AESG
‘Stay & Play’ sessions
Ahead of joining, your daughter will be invited to three ‘Stay & Play’ sessions During these sessions she will get to spend time with the staff and get to know the other girls and the classroom environment.
Our Daily Routine
Our daily routine offers a balance between structured activities and free play, giving children a predictable structure while encouraging exploration.
Example Daily Schedule for a School Day session:
7.30-8.15am - Breakfast and Free Play
8.15-10.30am - Registration / Activities / Free Play
10.30am - Snack Time
10.30am - Free play / Adult led activities / Outdoor play
10.30-11.45am - Outdoor Play
11.45-12pm - Music and Movement
12-12.30pm - Lunch Time
12 30-3pm - Home Time (AM sessions) /Sleep / Free play
3-3.30pm - Yoga / Home Time (School Day sessions)
3:30-4pm - Free Play
4-4.30pm - Tea Time
4 30-6pm - Free Play / Home Time (Extended Day sessions)
Uniform
All girls in Nursery and Pre-School have a uniform. It can be purchased from Monkhouse Schoolwear Specialists in Cheadle Hulme, or via their website. We also have an excellent Pre-Loved Uniform shop on site who can be reached on preloveduniform@aesg.co.uk, where you can arranged a 1:1 appointment and the wonderful parent volunteers will help you with all your uniform needs. The PreLoved uniform is of high quality and 50% off the full price.
School Shoes / Pumps
AESG PE T-shirt
Polo top
AESG cardigan
AESG skort
Uniform Cardigan
Polo shirt
Navy skort
Plain navy blue jeggings
Small AESG rucksack
PE kit
White AESG T-shirt
PE Shorts / Joggers
Trainers / Pumps Optional Wool hat
Sun hat
Small AESG rucksack
Forest School Splash suit Wellies
Useful Information
Contacting Us
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have anything you wish to discuss. This can be at the start of the day, as you bring your daughter into school, by email, on Tapestry or by appointment, if a longer meeting is needed.
To report an absence, please visit My School Portal. Details will be sent when you join.
Tapestry
Tapestry is an electronic learning journal which stores information on a highly secure server. Photographs, videos and comments will be shared by your daughter's Form Tutor so that you can keep up to date with her learning.
Login details will be sent to you when you join.
Health & Wellbeing
If your daughter is unwell, the best place for her is at home. Please contact us if the cause of her illness may be infectious. If you daughter is physically sick, she will need to remain at home for 48 hours. All staff are Paediatric First Aid trained and in the Early Years have the additional Millie’s Mark, a gold standard in the provision of first aid care.
Meals and Snacks
Pre-School and Nursery enjoy a mid-morning snack of toast with a choice of water or milk to drink. A light snack of fruit and a drink of water is provided during the afternoon session. Lunch is served at midday All meals are freshly prepared each day using locally sourced produce. The chefs make their own bread, soups and salads and the girls are encouraged to try a variety of foods from around the world. There is a sample menu below. For girls in the Extended Day sessions, and Afternoon Snack will be served.
