Attending nursery and preschool can be a very positive experience for a child and is an important way of developing their confidence and social-behavioural development.  Children learn through play, by adults modelling, by observing each other, and through guided learning and direct teaching.

What is the difference?

A nursery is a provision for 2 to 3-year-olds. It is a relaxed environment providing children with quality childcare and an opportunity to socialise with people their own age.

A preschool is a provision for 3 to 5-year-olds and offers more structure and a curriculum designed to prepare children for formal education and starting primary school.

Why attend nursery and/or preschool?

• Social skills

Learning and playing with children of a similar age helps children learn how to make friends, play with others, listen, share and take turns.

• Communication

Learning and playing with other children and staff helps children to expand their vocabulary, as well as learn how to communicate their opinions and emotions.

• Independence

Children have the opportunity to be independent and form new relationships, skills that are important for their long-term mental and emotional wellbeing as well as learning new skills for independence such as how to put on a coat or tidy away after play.

• Getting prepared for school

The routine and structure of time spent at nursery or preschool helps a child’s transition to school, especially when the nursery and the primary school are on the same site. Children recognise their surroundings and the many faces they see before beginning school. This really helps to reduce anxiety and make starting school that bit easier.

• Starting their learning journey

Time spent at nursery and preschool helps to build the confidence, determination, creating and thinking critically* and love for learning that all children will need on their journey through school and beyond.

• For you

Having a place for your child at a nursery and/or preschool is a positive experience for you too! You get extra time for work, or to run errands and you develop relationships with school staff as well as make friends with parents/carers on the same journey as yourself.

Where?

We have nurseries at Bournville, Locking and Oldmixon, and preschools at Bournville, Locking, Oldmixon and Windwhistle. Staff are ELAN employees and therefore receive the same benefits, high-quality training and professional development that school staff do.

In addition, we have independent nurseries at Windwhistle and preschools at Banwell, Mead Vale, Milton Park and the Springboard Early Years Autism Hub at Mead Vale to whom we provide a facility on-site.

Whether run by the school, or independent, each school works closely with the nursery and/or preschool and maintains good relationships with families and staff, supporting a smooth transition to school for children. All nurseries and preschools on our school sites are term-time only.

Bournville Nursery and Preschool

The nursery and preschool focus on three prime areas: personal, social and emotional development, communication, language and physical development.

Through the right mix of play, adult-child interactions and adult-guided activities, we encourage and support each child to begin their journey as a capable and confident learner and more importantly, we have lots of fun!  Both nursery and preschool have their own purpose-built setting providing modern and safe space for children. Children benefit from a natural transition into reception class when they reach school age.

Locking Meadows Preschool

We have a fantastic outdoor space at Locking and the children certainly make the most of it! Outdoor learning is great for developing confidence, resilience and the ability to collaborate, as well as having clear benefits in terms of physical development and wellbeing. Children at Locking Meadows can play and learn alongside children in reception class helping their transition into primary school as seamless as possible. The indoor space is purpose-built, bright and modern.

Oldmixon Little Mixers Nursery and Preschool

Little Mixers provides a perfect introduction to life at Oldmixon Primary School as children can play alongside each other, making the transition to formal education that little bit easier for both your child and you!

Windwhistle Preschool

Through play, we encourage and support children starting their journey to become a capable and confident learner and more importantly, we have lots of fun! We follow the curiosity approach and our new and improved environment caters for lots of engagement and learning. We focus our daily routine on meeting tour child's own interests and the environment provides a rich, stimulating and safe place for the children to have fun, learn and socialise with friends. 

Funding

Funding is available for some 2+ nursery and 3+ preschool places. You can find out more about who is eligible and how to apply by going to: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

How to apply

To apply for a nursery or preschool place you can contact them directly as follows: