Why nursery education can kick start your child’s primary years Thursday 6 January 2022 I recently observed our nursery children busily collecting and sorting natural wooden counters in our forest classroom. They were clearly having fun. More than that, though, it was clear from how the children responded to their teacher that they were learning about number, making sense of the natural world and beginning to make scientific predictions. When children are given learning opportunities to use their natural curiosity they develop in leaps and bounds. It isn’t surprising, therefore, that studies consistently highlight the importance of quality nursery education in preparation for primary school and beyond. Our aim for children in Rose Court Nursery at The Grammar School at Leeds, is to make sure each child thrives now and in the future. To do this, we have developed an enriching curriculum that is delivered by highly skilled nursery practitioners. Our purposefully designed indoor and outdoor classrooms as well as playgrounds provide a safe space where our young learners explore, work together and develop physical skills. The children also learn how to listen and follow instructions through our use of gentle rhythms and routines. By the end of the year, it’s rewarding to see those entering reception year from our nursery are ready to hit the ground running; this gives us more evidence that stimulating early years education can be key to forming happy, confident and successful learners.
