Awarm welcome to Micklefield Nursery! We are based in a bright and spacious Victorian building known as Belton House, which sits just next door to Micklefield School.
Our Nursery is a joyful and inclusive environment, offering children the very best start to their school journey. We ensure every child experiences a nurturing and positive introduction to education, laying the foundations for a lifelong love of learning and a strong sense of belonging. Our caring, creative and highly qualified staff are dedicated to bringing out the best in each child, celebrating individuality and making learning both engaging and fun.
Through playful exploration, gentle routines and inclusive practices, we encourage positive learning behaviours, a ‘can-do’ attitude and a deep-rooted enthusiasm for discovery. This provides children with a happy and confident start to Reception when the time comes.
I am always delighted to talk further with parents about all we have to offer at Micklefield Nursery so please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Zoe Rule Head of Nursery and Early Years
THE SCHOOL STRUCTURE
Micklefield educates children from 2 years and 6 months to 11 years old. To ensure the very best education and support for each child, the school operates a Lower and Upper School structure (see below).
School
Early Years Foundation Stage Little Acorns
Kindergarten (Oak and Willow)
Reception
Key Stage 1 Years 1&2
Key Stage 2 Years 3–6
Children can join as they turn 2 years and 6 months old.
The pre-school year. Children can join mid-year if spaces become available.
The first year of ‘big’ school. Children move up from Nursery or join Reception classes directly in the September, before they turn 5 years old.
Children move up from Reception. Places sometimes become available for direct entry into these year groups.
Upper School
Occasional places become available for direct entry into these year groups.
“Micklefield
is a nursery where they bring out the best in your kids!” Parent, February 2025
Lower
THE NURSERY PHILOSOPHY
At the heart of our nursery is the belief that children thrive when they feel connected to nature, their community and each other. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, we nurture curiosity and creativity through meaningful encounters with the natural world, encouraging children to explore, discover and grow in harmony with their environment. We view our children as eco-citizens of the future. Through sustainable practices and thoughtful learning experiences, we empower them to care for the planet and understand their role in shaping a better world.
Our community celebrates diversity as a strength. We foster an inclusive culture where every child’s identity is valued and differences are embraced as opportunities for learning and connection. Wellbeing is woven into everyday life, with mindful routines, reflective moments and strong relationships fostering emotional resilience and a sense of belonging. As a family-first nursery, we also recognise the vital role of parents in our curriculum. Parents are active partners in our journey, and we warmly welcome their voices, ideas and presence in shaping a nurturing and enriching experience for every child.
Named a Top 20 Nursery in 2023; 10/10, January 2025 daynurseries.co.uk
WHY CHOOSE MICKLEFIELD NURSERY?
Choosing the right nursery for your child is an important decision. Families choose Micklefield because we combine exceptional early years education with a caring, creative and community-focused ethos.
Highlights include:
• A focus on the characteristics of effective learning that inspire curious, confident little minds.
• Strong relationships built through our key person approach.
• Parent partnerships, supported by our dedicated Famly app giving real-time updates each day.
• A rich community programme connecting children with their local area and the wider world.
• Our bespoke School Ready Programme, which ensures a confident and happy transition into Reception.
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF EFFECTIVE LEARNING
We believe that the way children learn is just as important as what they learn. That’s why we focus on the Characteristics of Effective Learning – a key part of the Early Years Foundation Stage. These are the building blocks that help children grow into confident, curious, and capable learners for life.
Here’s how we bring learning to life:
PLAYING & EXPLORING
Children are naturally curious. Through play, they discover the world around them, ask questions, and develop a sense of wonder. We encourage them to explore freely, try new things, and enjoy the journey of learning.
ACTIVE LEARNING
We help children stay motivated, even when things get tricky. Whether they’re building a tower or solving a puzzle, they learn to keep going, celebrate their successes, and bounce back from setbacks.
CREATING & THINKING CRITICALLY
Children love to think for themselves. We support them in making connections, solving problems, and coming up with their own ideas. This helps develop their thinking skills and boosts their confidence.
Our passionate team creates a warm and inspiring environment where these learning traits flourish every day. The children become deeply engaged, excited to learn, and proud of their achievements – setting the stage for future success both in school and in life.
“We
are delighted to have found Micklefield Nursery! It’s a pleasure to see our daughter skip out of the house every morning, excited to go. The staff are fantastic and helped her to settle in in no time.”
Nursery Parent, April 2024
RELATIONSHIPS: OUR KEY PERSON APPROACH
Positive relationships between adults and children in a nursery setting are vital because they provide the emotional security, trust, and sense of belonging that young children need in order to explore, learn, and develop.
At ages 2½ to 4, children are becoming more independent but still rely on warm, responsive interactions with adults to feel safe, regulate their emotions, and develop social skills. These relationships also play a key role in language development, as children are more likely to communicate, share ideas, and extend their vocabulary when they feel valued and listened to.
“Every member of staff shows genuine care and compassion for the children, and this is evident from the
relationships formed between the teachers and children.”
Nursery Parent, 2024
The key person approach strengthens this further by ensuring that each child has a consistent adult who knows them well, understands their needs and interests, and supports their individual learning journey. This close bond not only helps children to settle and thrive in the nursery environment but also provides a secure base from which they can confidently form friendships and engage with new experiences. It also creates an important link between home and nursery, enabling effective communication with families and allowing for accurate observations and assessments of each child’s progress.
Together, strong relationships and a key person approach lay the foundations for children’s wellbeing, resilience, and readiness for the next stage of education.
FAMILY & THE HOME/ SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP
At Micklefield Nursery we recognise that parents are their child’s first educators and that through working together, we will ensure the children continue to progress in their learning and development.
We are committed to ensuring all parents feel welcome and that ongoing forms of communication are established. We share information in a variety of ways, including through the Famly App, and daily handovers with a member of staff from the Nursery team, weekly newsletters from school, parents’ evenings and opportunities for ‘family gathering’ sessions throughout the year. Staff are committed to giving comprehensive feedback at the end of sessions, and parents are always welcome to phone for an update during the day. We regularly invite our families in to share and celebrate their children’s learning, from termly workshops to seasonal events, we take pride in making you a special part of your child’s learning journey with us.
“The nursery app keeps us wellinformed about our son’s dayto-day activities, which is so reassuring. The parent group is also a wonderful source of support, helping families feel part of a close-knit community.”
Nursery Parent, January 2025
OUR COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
We believe learning is most powerful when rooted in real-life experiences. Our Community Enrichment Programme takes children beyond the nursery walls – whether visiting the greengrocer, exploring Priory Park, or engaging with the local library, artists and businesses. These outings create meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities, helping children make sense of the world around them while fostering confidence and a strong sense of community belonging.
THE SCHOOL READY PROGRAMME
At Micklefield, our School Ready Programme provides an exceptional educational experience that extends far beyond the standard Early Years framework. Each day is carefully designed to deliver a bespoke, inspiring curriculum that prepares children for a seamless and confident move into Reception. Led by qualified teachers, the programme is filled with purposeful, creative experiences that ignite curiosity, build strong foundations and give every child a genuine head start to their learning.
The children enjoy:
“Children in EYFS settle in and become at ease as a result of the very encouraging and cheerful manner of staff and effective use of humour that relaxes children.”
ISI Report 2023
• Specialist lessons and the wonderful facilities of Micklefield School – the children have specialist teaching for French, PE, music and cookery lessons. Set within a school environment, the nursery shares all of the main school’s facilities, including the indoor sports hall, library and ICT room, as well as all its grounds. The children also benefit from interacting with older children, giving them important role models.
• Nutritious meals – a well-balanced hot meal freshly prepared each day for lunch in the main school dining hall, morning and afternoon snacks (plus a light tea for our year-round children). Our aim is to provide everyone with a varied, balanced diet as well as having a positive influence on the children’s knowledge and attitudes towards food and healthy eating. Children eat in small groups with a member of staff, providing a relaxed social experience during mealtimes.
• Additional activities – the children enjoy everything from Mindfulness and Yoga to Green Fingers, Local Excursion programme and STEAM club
• Special events – these are wonderful occasions that bring the whole community together. They include seasonal family workshops, sports day, cultural celebrations and visiting experts.
OUTDOOR LEARNING
Outdoor learning is integral to nursery life. Children are given the time, space and freedom to play while immersed in the natural environment. Regular visits to our school playing fields offer the countless benefits of fresh-air play, helping children develop resilience, resourcefulness and reflection. Our large and stimulating outdoor space includes sand and water play, a pirate ship, Astroturf, elevated areas and natural planting – all designed to spark imagination. Children can delight in the mud kitchen, join our Green Fingers club, and grow produce in our Nature Haven allotment, which is often cooked and enjoyed together as part of our ‘field to fork’ approach.
WELLBEING
We are deeply committed to supporting each child’s emotional wellbeing by creating space for calm and reflection throughout the day. Our ‘Mindful Moments’ programme includes guided breathing exercises, circle time to foster connection, and daily yoga sessions, which our teachers are trained in.
To close the day, we gather for ‘Teatime for Reflection’ a gentle and grounding part of our routine where children enjoy fruit-infused herbal tea and thoughtful conversation. Through our Question of the Day, they explore ideas, share feelings, and learn more about one another in a relaxed and nurturing setting.
“Thank you, Micklefield Nursery! Our daughter has been so happy here. We are looking forward to continuing our journey in the school’s Reception class in September.” Nursery Parent
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF MICKLEFIELD NURSERY
Whilst every day is different and full of discovery in the Nursery, there is a general structure and flow to our day:
• ‘Morning Meeting’ – the children start their daily routine with a session led by the nursery class teacher. This is a chance for the children to come together and find out about the day ahead.
• Phonics & Number Activities – working in small groups, children take part in carefully planned adult-led activities.
• Explorative Play – throughout the day, children get the opportunity to explore the different learning areas in the classroom and are given plenty of time to follow their own interests.
• Outdoor Learning – being outside gives children a sense of freedom and is invaluable for their physical and emotional development. Every day, the children play and learn outside. Each week, they also take part in Outdoor Learning activities on the school field.
• Specialist Teachers – the children in Nursery have a specialist lesson every day of the week, which may include French, Music and PE.
• Teatime for Reflection – our Year-Round children, along with Term-Time children who stay for wraparound care, settle down together for tea at 5.15pm. They reflect on their day and draw questions out of the teatime bag to ask each other. Is there something they are proud of? Where is their favourite place to visit? It is a wonderful moment for calm discussion before home time.
OUR NURSERY PROGRAMMES
We offer two different nursery programmes – Term Time and Year Round.
Term-Time children can add additional wraparound care sessions which extend the day from 7.30am to 6.00pm. Wraparound charges do not apply for children who are with us on the Year-Round contract.
