Welcome to Nursery

First Steps to building strong foundations to your child’s future

ABOUT
Nursery

Empowering Young Minds

Through a combination of the Reggio Emilia philosophy and the British Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, our dedicated team of passionate and highly skilled Early Years teachers provide a safe and nurturing environment for your child to take risks, problem solve, think critically and have endless fun.

By personalising each child’s learning and working in partnership with parents, we ensure all children feel valued and develop into well-rounded, confident and happy learners.

  • Age 2 before the 31st August (minimum age)
  • Flexible days and hours from 7.15am - 4.30pm

    (12.00pm pick up on a Friday) 

meet our

Assistant Head Teacher

At GEMS FirstPoint School, we offer outstanding facilities designed to inspire and support your child's learning adventure. From spacious classrooms to well-equipped play areas, every aspect of our environment is crafted to enhance your child's curiosity and creativity.

In our nurturing and stimulating learning environments, your child will have the opportunity to explore, discover, and grow in a supportive atmosphere. Through a blend of structured activities and play-based learning, we aim to cultivate your child's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.

We believe in fostering a partnership between home and school, and we encourage open communication with parents. You are always welcome to participate in your child's learning journey and engage with our community of educators.

At GEMS FirstPoint School, we strive to make every day an enriching and joyful experience for your child, setting the stage for a lifetime of success.

Claire Nami – Assistant Head Teacher 

Explore our
Nursery

We combine the Reggio Emilia philosophy and the British Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum to enable children to become decision makers and learn to be confident in the choices they make. 

The Reggio Emilia approach

The Reggio Emilia approach focuses on fostering creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, offering a holistic, dynamic learning experience. It celebrates children as capable learners and highlights the importance of an enriching environment, meaningful relationships, and active participation from educators and families in the learning journey. 

The British Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum

The EYFS curriculum provides a comprehensive framework for children's early learning and development. It supports the idea that children are active learners who thrive in an environment that nurtures their curiosity and development. The balance of structured and unstructured activities, the focus on play, and the inclusion of both social-emotional and academic learning ensure that children receive a well-rounded foundation for their future education.

Prime Areas

The Prime Areas of Learning we follow in Nursery include Communication and Language, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, and Physical Development. These areas build confidence, social skills, coordination, and effective communication—essential foundations for lifelong learning and success. 

Specific Areas

The Specific Areas of Learning we follow in Nursery are Mathematics, Literacy, Understanding the World, and Expressive Arts and Design. These areas nurture creativity, problem-solving, early literacy, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

A nurturing
environment

Our team have strived to ensure that our nursery offers a ‘home away from home’ feel, part of our natural and holistic approach to building the foundations for future learning. Nursery classrooms are calm, inviting spaces, allowing children to learn in a comfortable and nurturing environment. 

A trusted approach

We combine the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum with the Reggio Emilia approach to provide children with an integrated, holistic and personalised learning experience. The Reggio philosophy encourages children to explore and learn through inquiry-based activities, allowing them to lead their play and develop curiosity, independence and confidence. Our strong partnerships with parents enable them to be active facilitators of their children’s learning.

The best teachers 

Every member of our friendly Nursery teaching team is British-qualified and passionate about working with young children, with each of our Nursery classrooms led by a dedicated teacher and up to three teaching assistants. Our open-door policy means parents can talk to any of our staff at any time, and we work together with parents to provide the highest quality start to each child’s learning journey.

Parents as partners

Our open-door policy means parents can talk to any of our staff at any time, and we work together with parents to provide the highest quality start to each child’s learning journey.  

Settling in
made easy

Starting Nursery is a big step, and our passionate teachers are ready to support you and your child every step of the way. We offer a bespoke induction plan for your child to ensure they feel happy and settled when you drop them off at nursery. 

Building confidence

We know that building confidence starts in Nursery, where a child’s learning journey begins. In our nurturing, play-based setting, we create a strong sense of security and belonging. By encouraging independence, praising effort, and recognising progress, we help our youngest learners develop a positive sense of self. Positive role modelling and rich social interaction support children as they explore, express themselves, and take gentle risks. This early confidence builds the foundation for resilience, emotional well-being, and a lifelong love of learning.

frequently asked
questions

WHAT ARE THE SESSION TIMINGS FOR NURSERY?

We offer a range of timings to suit both you and your child in Nursery. You can choose from three half days or five half days, three full days or five full days (note that Friday finishes at 12:00). Half-day sessions run from 07:15 to 12:00, while full-day sessions run from 07:15 to 15:15. We also offer an extended collection time at 16:30. Once selected, sessions are fixed, although an increase from three to five days can be arranged based on availability. 

 

If your child still requires daytime sleep and is staying for the full day, we provide a supervised sleep room for them. 

DO THE NURSERY STAFF OFFER SUPPORT WITH POTTY TRAINING?

Our dedicated Nursery staff play a vital role in supporting potty training by creating a positive, consistent, and nurturing environment. Through collaboration with parents, offering encouragement, and fostering independence, staff help children feel confident and successful during this important milestone in their development.

DO THE CHILDREN IN NURSERY SWIM?

Swimming starts weekly in Term 2 of the Nursery year; this takes place in the Foundation Pool with two qualified swimming instructors in the water and two lifeguards on the poolside. During Term 1 the children enjoy a weekly ‘Splash Day’ where they become confident and happy playing with water in the Nursery Garden.

Blogs
Highlights

For children attending a British curriculum nursery, the transition lays the foundation for early learning and independence. Here are five tips to help your child settle into this new environment

At GEMS FirstPoint School – The Villa, our new nursery opening in August will offer a home-away-from-home feel with British-qualified and experienced teachers.

At this tender age, children are discovering the world and their place in it. Here are five practical tips to boost their confidence at home

school admissions
NURSERY – YEAR 13