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Learn more about our pastoral care, and how we support our pupils
Learning in the Early Years is playful, purposeful and child-centred. Through a broad, hands-on curriculum, children ask questions, make discoveries and grow in confidence every day. We place real emphasis on independence and curiosity, supporting each child to develop at their own pace and take pride in what they can do.
Our youngest pupils benefit from bright, well-designed spaces created especially for them. The Nursery and Reception classrooms sit together in a dedicated area of the Junior School, offering the reassurance of a close-knit setting while still feeling part of the wider school community. This communal structure helps children to settle quickly and move confidently into Year 1.
We look forward to welcoming you and your child to the very beginning of their Dame Allan’s journey.
Our Nursery and Reception provide a calm, carefully structured start to school life, where children feel secure, happy and ready to explore the world around them. Strong relationships with families sit at the centre of everything we do. By working closely with parents and carers, and by keeping communication open and straightforward, we make sure every child feels known and well supported.
Every day is different in the Nursery, with a wide range of activities both indoors and outdoors, making the most of our location right on the Town Moor. We focus on learning through play, developing motor, intellectual, creative, social and language skills. Children are encouraged to explore new and different materials through a variety of practical activities which will help stimulate their development and enjoyment of learning in a safe and secure environment.
We know that flexibility is important to our parents; our Nursery is open from 7.45 to 17.45. Before school, pupils are in the classroom (supervised) from 7.45 to 8.15 ( with breakfast provided if required) and outside from 8.15 to 8.45 (weather permitting). There is also an after school club every evening from 15.15 until 17.45.
Outdoor learning is part of everyday life here. With their own play space, access to woodland areas and regular sessions in Woodland Ways and The Edge yurt, children spend plenty of time learning beyond the classroom — climbing, building, exploring and working together. Our Skogsmulle programme, inspired by Scandinavian outdoor education, encourages resilience, imagination and a lasting connection with the natural world.
All of our food is freshly cooked on the premises under the supervision of our expert Catering Manager. We offer a varied menu from across the globe to cater to all tastes and encourage adventurous eaters. Early Years pupils have first sitting every day in the Dining Hall and all Nursery pupils who come for a full day enjoy a cooked lunch at school.
The menus have been created using good quality produce and with the help and advice of a dietician, to provide well balanced meals, suitable for young people. Children choose a whole meal in order to maintain the nutritional balance, rather than individual items. Bread, raw vegetables, fresh water and fruit are always provided in addition to the main meal, with snacks also provided in the Early Years. A member of staff sits on each table, to support children with table manners and cutlery skills.
School lunches are compulsory but if your child has any special dietary needs, then please do not hesitate to contact the Admissions Team to discuss them. We are a nut free school and well-placed at handling allergies and dietary requirements.
Our Nursery and Reception classes are capped at a small size, with a maximum of 24 in each Nursery session and a maximum of 16 in Reception. Each child is known as an individual – our teachers know their favourite stories, favourite snacks, and their best friends.
Early Years classes benefit from additional support from teaching assistants, as well as a varied curriculum including regular trips, STEM classes, phonics, dedicated library time, and more.
Pupils can join Dame Allan’s Junior School and Nursery in the September after their third birthday. You can find out more about our Early Years admissions process here:
All prospective pupils must register on our admissions portal to start their admissions journey. They must also complete an application form, which has an application fee of £50.00.
Depending on which year group children are applying for, most offers will be sent out within a week of the assessment, and will include information on acceptance deadlines (usually around 10 days from the date of offer).
We’d always encourage prospective families to get in touch with any queries when undertaking the admissions process. Our friendly Admissions Team are here to help.