The Old Station Nursery Group Launch Next Stop School Initiative

The Old Station Nursery Group has launched a new initiative aimed at supporting children and families as they prepare to take the big step from nursery to primary school. The ‘Next Stop School’ programme is now live across all settings in the group and is designed to make the transition as seamless, supportive, and successful as possible.

At the heart of the initiative is a strong emphasis on partnership – with children, families, and educators working together to ensure each child leaves nursery not only academically prepared but emotionally and socially ready for the next stage in their learning journey.

“As Early Years educators, we know the profound impact of the early years on a child’s lifelong development and the important role we play in helping children reach their full potential,” said Emma Pittam, Early Years Director at The Old Station Nursery Group. “The transition to school is a huge milestone, and our role is to make that move exciting, engaging and positive—not just for the children, but for their families too.”

School readiness redefined

The programme dovetails with the group’s Brighter Learning Approach (BLA), an enrichment framework that builds on the EYFS to develop the key attributes, skills and mindsets that support long-term learning and well-being. ‘Next Stop School’ builds on this by introducing a structured yet flexible transition plan that recognises school readiness as a broad and multifaceted journey.

The initiative highlights the importance of strong nursery-to-home communication and includes a suite of tailored resources to empower parents and carers during this pivotal time. These include:

·       A child-friendly progress tracker and magnet to celebrate key milestones

·       A bookbag with home learning tools to encourage continued engagement

·       A Clarks voucher to help families prepare for the practicalities of school life

·       Ongoing updates and milestone tracking via the parent app

·       A dedicated webpage filled with advice, tips, and downloadable resources

Emma continued: “We know that parents are their child’s first and most important educators. That’s why we’re committed to working in partnership with them every step of the way.”

Putting children at the centre

The Old Station Nursery Group’s approach underscores the belief that preparing for school is about more than literacy and numeracy – it’s about nurturing resilience, building confidence, and fostering a love of learning.

“Our aim is not simply to help children become ‘school-ready’,” Emma added, “but to ensure they are happy, confident, and eager to take on the exciting adventures that lie ahead.”