The Cove Nursery

Our environment provides the perfect backdrop for nurturing confident, adventurous learners. We champion a holistic approach to education, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor experiences to inspire curiosity, independence, and discovery.

Our dynamic free-flow outdoor learning environment is continuously enhanced by our dedicated Nursery team, ensuring a fresh, engaging, and stimulating space for exploration. Complementing this is our innovative indoor learning environment which is thoughtfully designed to ignite imagination and support each child’s natural desire to learn.

Our classroom environment is agile and ever-evolving, tailored to meet the diverse needs and interests of our learners. From immersive Construction Zones and imaginative Role Play areas to cosy Home Corners and interactive Small World experiences, every space is curated to foster creativity, collaboration, and language-rich development.

We place a strong emphasis on experiential learning, offering a wide range of sensory and messy play opportunities throughout the day. Activities such as mud kitchens, water exploration stations, and creative arts encourage self-expression, problem-solving, and hands-on discovery.

At Northdown Primary School, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and we are guided in our practise through Development Matters and the Statutory Framework for the Early Years.

The Early Years Foundation Stage is made up of seven key areas. These areas are as follows:

Prime Areas

• Communication and Language
• Physical Development
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Specific Areas

• Literacy
• Maths
• Understanding of the World
• Expressive Arts and Design

Within our Nursery, children are empowered to explore, play, and discover in a stimulating environment that actively promotes independence, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning. We foster a child-centred approach that supports the development of key life skills, encouraging confidence, creativity, and self-motivation.

Our rich, enabling environment is brought to life through a dynamic, themed-based curriculum, enhanced by responsive “in-the-moment” planning. This agile approach allows us to tailor learning experiences around each child’s unique interests, ensuring high levels of engagement, curiosity, and meaningful progression.

We are passionate about creating a culture where learning is both purposeful and joyful. By nurturing children’s natural curiosity and building on their prior knowledge, we provide inspiring, play-based experiences that support holistic development and help every child to truly thrive.

Snack time is a valued and enriching part of our daily routine, where children come together to enjoy nutritious food in a calm, sociable environment. Served by our caring adults, this experience promotes positive relationships, encourages good manners, and supports the development of communication and social skills.

These moments create opportunities for meaningful interactions, helping children to feel secure, included, and part of a warm, community-focused setting, while also fostering independence and confidence as they prepare for future school experiences. 

Our Nursery team provides high-quality, nurturing care led by experienced and passionate leadership. Our well-qualified practitioners are dedicated to creating an engaging, enriching, and inspiring environment where every child can thrive. We take a reflective, forward-thinking approach, continually reviewing and enhancing our provision to ensure it remains innovative, stimulating, and tailored to each child’s needs.

At the heart of everything we do is a strong focus on children’s wellbeing, safety, and emotional security. We believe that when children feel safe, valued, and form positive, trusting relationships with both adults and their peers, they grow in confidence and are empowered to explore, discover, and reach their full potential.

Our highly trained and caring staff deliver a child-initiated, play-based, free-flow learning experience, allowing children the freedom to follow their interests while being gently guided and supported. Through a rich mix of interactive songs, engaging nursery rhymes, immersive storytelling, and sensory messy play, we create a vibrant and dynamic learning environment full of excitement and opportunity.

This holistic, child-centred approach naturally weaves in the foundations of early literacy and numeracy, supporting key developmental milestones while nurturing creativity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning. By encouraging hands-on exploration, curiosity, and discovery, we help every child develop the essential skills they need for their next steps and beyond.

We look forward to building a strong partnership with you and getting to know both you and your child before they begin their journey with us.

Once you have accepted a place at our nursery, we will invite you to visit us for a personalised introduction. This is an opportunity to share valuable insights into your child’s unique personality, interests, and routine, ensuring we can provide a nurturing, child-centred approach from day one. During this visit, we will answer any questions you may have, complete any remaining paperwork, and collaboratively plan a tailored settling-in programme designed to support a smooth and positive transition.

Our experienced team is committed to creating a warm, inclusive, and stimulating environment where every child feels safe, valued, and supported. Through our gradual settling-in sessions, we focus on building trust, confidence, and emotional wellbeing, helping your child to form secure attachments and develop a sense of belonging.

Once your child is happy, confident, and fully settled, they will be ready to begin their regular sessions with us, continuing their journey of exploration, learning, and development in a caring and supportive setting.

Our nursery day is divided into two sessions:

• Morning session: 8:45am – 11:45am
• Afternoon session: 12:30pm – 3:30pm

All sessions run during term time only.

For children eligible for 30 hours funded childcare, we also offer a full-day session from 8:45am to 3:30pm.
For families who are required to pay fees, the cost is:

• £18 per session (3 hours)

Lunch time is included when a full-day session is booked.

Please note that all fees are reviewed annually each September.