Jul 07, 2025
A heart-warming look at how hdc Nursery Dartmouth is supporting school readiness
Following the successful launch of Next Stop School earlier this year, hdc Nursery Dartmouth is proud to share how the programme is now being brought to life in its setting, empowering children and families as they prepare for the exciting transition to primary school.
Designed to make this significant milestone feel positive, seamless and supported, Next Stop School focuses on nurturing children, building confidence, independence, and a love of learning alongside practical school readiness skills.
A touching new video released by the nursery offers a glimpse into the initiative in practice, capturing the energy, joy, and pride shared by children, families, and nursery practitioners alike.
Watch on Facebook here: http://bit.ly/3TQ5COC
“We launched Next Stop School because we know that the transition to school is a huge milestone, not just for children, but for parents too and we want to ensure the families leaving our settings have an exciting and positive experience,” said Emma Pittam, Early Years Director at The Old Station Nursery Group. “It’s been incredible to see children rise to the challenge, proudly wearing their backpacks, engaging in school-based role play, and sharing their milestone progress with families at home.”
A Shared Journey Towards School Readiness
At the core of Next Stop School is a partnership with families to build a strong bridge between nursery and school. Each setting has embraced the programme through a series of creative, child-led activities including:
Families have also received a £30 Clarks voucher to help them prepare for the practicalities of school life and access to a wealth of online resources designed to make school preparations manageable and exciting.
“One of our parents told us that the Next Stop School magnet has become a much-loved part of their morning routine,” added Emma. “These little rituals build anticipation, confidence, and a real sense of pride for the children.”
School Readiness and The Brighter Learning Approach
The programme is underpinned by The Old Station Nursery Group’s Brighter Learning Approach, a bespoke enrichment framework that extends the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and champions holistic development. From fostering independence at mealtimes to encouraging self-expression through art and storytelling, the initiative provides learning opportunities that further enrich children’s learning and development and support them as individuals to grow to their full potential.
“True school readiness is about creating emotionally resilient children, socially curious, and excited to learn, as well as being given plenty of opportunities to support future reading and writing skills, such as exploring phonics and practising pencil-grip,” said Emma.
The Old Station Nursery Group and its nurseries will continue sharing stories from across its settings as the summer term progresses, highlighting how children prepare to take their next steps with confidence and joy.