A Day in the Life of our Nursery
Polesden Lacey Infant Academy Nursery is a place where every child is cherished, inspired, and empowered. The staff create enriching days filled with curiosity, growth, and gentle guidance, ensuring each little learner flourishes.
Typical Nursery Day
A Warm Start and Gentle Settling
Children are greeted warmly upon arrival by their teachers and helped to put away their belongings and settle into an engaging activity of their choice.
Everybody feels included
Children and staff gather together for a morning welcome and to discuss what will be happening throughout the day.
Small group learning
Children break out into smaller groups often with their key person to learn a new skill or consolidate their previous learning and then build upon this. This could include following a pictorial recipe to make our own bread or exploring the woodland, hunting for minibeasts.
Choice, Exploration and Inspired Play
Each child explores the holistic learning environment, engaging in a wide variety of activities. Central to this session is the role of the staff; by modelling social cues and offering open-ended support, staff empower children to make independent choices, fostering a high level of engagement, social confidence, and emotional wellbeing.
Both our indoor and outdoor areas offer endless opportunities for play, exploration, and learning. Each day brings new wonders, whether children are creating artistic masterpieces, engaging in imaginative play in our role play area or with our small world set ups, there are endless opportunities.
A sociable opportunity to refuel and learn life long skills
Throughout the term, children take turns preparing nutritious snacks for their friends to enjoy. By participating in both the preparation and the washing up, they learn the value of contribution and gain skills that will be used throughout their life.
Children enjoy a healthy snack of fresh fruit, vegetables, savoury snacks and milk with their friends. They practice good manners and develop independence by pouring their own drinks and tidying up.
Group Gathering
Children come together as a group to sing, share stories, explore new sounds with the use of instruments, delve into numbers, and discuss the amazing world around them. Every child's voice is valued and encouraged.
The Afternoon Begins with Lunchtime
At 12pm, the morning children collect their belongings and go home. Afternoon children arrive and join the children that stay for a full day. Children enjoy a healthy packed lunch brought in from home or a nutritious two course meal prepared on site by our school Chef. This is a calm and sociable time where children and staff enjoy meaningful conversations while enjoying lunch.
Choice, Exploration and Learning Through Play
Each child explores the holistic learning environment, engaging in a wide variety of activities. The expansive nursery outdoor area is an open invitation for adventure throughout the day. Children can dig, run, build, balance, and immerse themselves in the wonders of nature, come rain or shine.
Extra Curricular Activity
Each afternoon the children have the opportunity to engage in an extra curricular activity which builds confidence and resilience by allowing the children to master new skills. This could vary from learning breathing techniques and yoga poses to working with friends while creating a large scale art project. Activities rotate on a half termly basis so every child has the opportunity to master a new skill.
Calm Reflection and Home Time
As the day draws to a close, everyone gathers for a story and a snack. The children share their proudest moments and discoveries before it's time to say goodbye.
