Nursery enhanced activities

Early years education and providing the very best start for your children is at the heart of what we offer in our nurseries. As part of our unique approach, some nurseries provide one to five enhanced activities; these are Forest School, Organic, Cookery, Montessori inspired and Languages.

Older practitioner helping two young girls water the plants in the train planter outside the nursery

Forest School

The Old Station Nursery and Little Green Rascals Forest Schools are environments that support play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired hands on experiences in a natural setting.

Our children love to know more about our Wonderful World.  As part of the Brighter Learning Approach, Forest School is the perfect place to use resources and sessions dedicated to becoming Nature Explorers and Planet Protectors.

Young boy hugging a tree

Organic

In our organic enhancement nurseries, our children learn how to grow, tend and harvest their own produce in our Grow Our Own Club.  The children learn about the different environments plants need in order to grow, the changing growing seasons and how to cook and use their produce for eating. The children love donning their organic aprons and using the child-friendly gardening tools.

Cookery

Our Cooking Club nurseries offer the skills, smells and tastes achieved from home cooking that instils a lifelong pleasure in making and enjoying delicious foods to support well-being and all-round health.

Specialist equipment is provided including ‘cool-touch’ ovens, child-friendly utensils and The Old Station Nursery chef’s hats and aprons.

Young child in baking apron and chefs hat

Montessori inspired

The Old Station Nursery Montessori Inspired nurseries use five key learning areas, each of which uses specific learning materials and practises. These are Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics and Knowledge and Understanding of the World. All tasks and activities are introduced to the child in phases.

Young boy playing with a montessori resource

Languages

Learning a language is hugely beneficial in early years, developing cognitive skills, widening their world awareness and boosting self-esteem. At a young age, children learn words easily and can develop a life-long joy of language development. Our Language enhancement nurseries provide Baby Signing and interactive multi-lingual books.  We support parents with resources to help you continue the learning at home.

Children pointing to a globe

What our families say about our enhanced nurseries

As a former childcare worker myself finding the right nursery setting for my children to attend was very important for me. I had a show round at several other nurseries prior to The Old Station Nursery but from the get-go they had me won over. I was very impressed by not just the setting itself but also the incredibly caring staff. I found the activities available fantastic and my children thoroughly enjoy the likes of cheeky monkeys and French lessons as well as regular trips into town/the hairdressers etc to learn about their interests and further their education.

I couldn't recommend Sandhills Day Nursery enough. The staff are all so friendly, so caring and attentive to the children and my son has settled in perfectly over the last year and never wants to leave when I pick him up. He has come on so much in the last year and takes part in so many activities and things, such as welly walks to the lanes to see the sheep, forest school, music time and lots of crafts and he always comes home to tell us what an amazing day he has had. Would definitely recommend this nursery to anyone looking for a home-from-home style nursery setting for their child.

Lovely nursery. My son joined at 9 months old. Staff in the baby room are so caring and nurturing. My son has enjoyed going from a young age which was very reassuring for me going back to work. My daughter is now in preschool, she has thoroughly enjoyed her years at this nursery, she has made lots of friends and really likes her teachers. She particularly enjoys Spanish, yoga and superstar sports and cooking as well as the montessori based activities.