Nursery

Welcome to Nursery at Shirehampton Primary School.

Our Nursery provides a happy, nurturing and stimulating environment where our youngest children can feel safe, develop positive relationships and begin their learning journey at Shirehampton.

We provide places for children aged two, three and four through our Under 3s and Pre-School provision.

Children learn through play, exploration, carefully planned adult-led experiences and opportunities to follow their own interests. Our experienced Early Years team supports children to develop their communication, confidence, independence and curiosity as they learn about themselves and the world around them.

 Meet the Nursery Team

Under 3s

Charlotte Pierce [room lead], Nokomis Allen, Emma Ross

Pre-School

Lauren Krupa [Nursery lead], Emma Gissing, Georgia Rogers, Lia Barnes [apprentice]

Our Nursery team works closely together to provide a caring and engaging environment where children feel secure, valued and ready to explore and learn.

 Under 3s

Our Under 3s provision provides a nurturing introduction to Nursery life for our youngest children.

At this age, secure relationships and feeling safe are central to children's development. Our team takes time to get to know each child as an individual and supports them to become increasingly confident within the Nursery environment.

Children have opportunities to explore, play, communicate, move, create and develop relationships with other children and adults.

Learning is responsive to children's interests and developmental needs, with particular emphasis on communication and language, physical development and personal, social and emotional development.

 Pre-School

Our Pre-School provision supports children as they continue to develop their knowledge, skills, confidence and independence in preparation for Reception.

Children learn through a balance of purposeful play, adult-led learning and opportunities to explore and investigate within our indoor and outdoor environments.

We encourage children to become increasingly independent, communicate their ideas, develop positive relationships, solve problems and develop the early knowledge and skills which provide strong foundations for future learning.

 Learning in Nursery

Children in Nursery follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Our curriculum places particular importance on the three prime areas of learning:

• Communication and Language

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development

• Physical Development

Children also develop their learning through:

• Literacy

• Mathematics

• Understanding the World

• Expressive Arts and Design

Learning takes place throughout the Nursery environment. Children have opportunities to talk, listen, investigate, build, create, move, imagine, solve problems and explore the world around them.

Adults carefully observe and interact with children, introducing new vocabulary, modelling skills, extending children's thinking and providing experiences which build upon what children already know and can do.

What We Are Learning

Our curriculum overview shows the learning and experiences planned for children throughout Nursery.

📄 Nursery Curriculum Overview 2026–27

 Learning Through Play

Play is a fundamental part of learning in the Early Years.

Through purposeful play, children develop their language, imagination, creativity, physical skills, relationships, problem-solving and understanding of the world.

Our Nursery environment is carefully planned to provide children with opportunities to make choices, explore their interests, practise new skills and become increasingly independent.

Children have opportunities to learn both indoors and outdoors throughout their time in Nursery.

 Communication, Language & Early Reading

Developing children's communication and language is a key priority throughout Nursery.

Children have frequent opportunities to talk, listen, share stories, sing songs and rhymes and develop their vocabulary through their everyday experiences.

We share a wide range of stories and books and encourage children to develop an enjoyment of reading from the very beginning.

Children also develop important early literacy skills through songs, rhymes, listening activities, mark-making and opportunities to notice sounds, words and print within their environment.

 Developing Independence

Nursery is an important time for children to begin developing independence and confidence in managing everyday routines.

Depending on their age and stage of development, we support children to become increasingly independent with:

• Putting on and taking off their coat

• Managing their belongings

• Washing and drying their hands

• Eating and drinking

• Making choices

• Tidying and looking after resources

• Using the toilet when developmentally ready

• Communicating their needs

• Taking turns and playing alongside or with others

We recognise that children develop at different rates and provide support appropriate to each individual child.

Supporting Learning at Home

There are lots of simple ways families can support children's development at home.

Talking, playing and sharing experiences together are some of the most valuable things you can do.

You can support your child by:

• Sharing stories and looking at books together

• Singing songs and nursery rhymes

• Talking about what you see and do

• Giving your child time to talk and respond

• Counting objects during everyday activities

• Noticing shapes, colours, numbers and patterns

• Encouraging drawing, painting and mark-making

• Playing imaginatively together

• Spending time outdoors

• Encouraging your child to try things independently

Everyday experiences such as cooking, shopping, going for a walk or helping with simple jobs at home provide valuable opportunities for young children to learn.

 Nursery Sessions & Useful Information

Under 3s and Pre-School sessions are:

Morning session
8:40am – 11:40am

Afternoon session
12:10pm – 3:10pm

Full day
8:40am – 3:10pm

Children attending Nursery should bring a named water bottle and any other items requested by the Nursery team.

For children who require nappies or wipes, these should be provided from home.

Communication

Important Nursery information and reminders will be shared with families through Arbor.

If you have a question about your child's learning or wellbeing, please speak to their class teacher. For non urgent matters you can email your child's class teacher. These email addresses are checked weekly during term time.

U3s- shirehampton@shirehampton-jun.bristols.sch.uk 

Pre-school- bristol@shirehampton-jun.bristol.sch.uk

→ Nursery Admissions, Sessions & Fees