St Michael’s Nursery

As a Church of England Nursery, we observe the two main Christian holidays, which means we are closed for two weeks at Christmas and one week at Easter. We are also closed on bank holidays that fall outside these periods.

Outside of these closures, the Nursery operates for 49 weeks of the year.

We are open from 7:30am to 6:00pm. The core Nursery day runs from 8:30am to 3:30pm.

Extended Morning (EM) and Extended Afternoon (EA) care is available and is delivered by our own Nursery staff within the Nursery environment. For current fee information, please contact the Admissions Office.

We have 400 sessions per week available. On any given day, if every session is full, we can accommodate up to 40 Pre-Nursery and Nursery children.

Yes. All children aged 3–5 are entitled to 15 hours of weekly government funding. We apply three hours per day of funding to our morning sessions (8:30am–1:00pm).

We also allocate up to five full-time places for children eligible for 30 hours of funding. To qualify, children must attend all-year care and a minimum of eight sessions per week. While funding is typically allocated across the 34-week St Michael’s term-time schedule, it is stretched to cover an extra four weeks for children attending on a year-round basis.

Yes. We currently offer two packages: Term-Time Only, and All Year Round (term-time plus holiday care). Non-term-time sessions are available exclusively to All Year Round families.

The Nursery runs for 49 weeks of the year, offering high-quality early education during term time and engaging, care-based provision during school holidays. While the warmth and routine remain consistent for children, the focus of our staff shifts slightly depending on the time of year.

Term-Time Provision — Educational Focus

During term time, children follow a structured programme of learning in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), led by our qualified Nursery teaching staff. This includes:

• A planned programme supporting early language, literacy, mathematics and personal development
• Daily observations and activities tailored to each child’s developmental needs
• Access to specialist teaching where appropriate
• Regular progress updates for parents
• A high level of educational input and early learning experiences

Non-Term-Time Provision — Holiday Care & Enrichment

During school holidays, the Nursery moves to a care and enrichment model, led by our qualified practitioners. The focus shifts to:

• Play-based activities, crafts, outdoor play and exploration
• A relaxed and nurturing routine to support children’s wellbeing
• Opportunities for social play and friendship building
• Fun, themed days and practical experiences
• Continuity of care within a familiar environment

EYFS welfare standards apply year-round, but staff are not required to deliver formal curriculum planning or assessment during holiday provision, allowing children a more relaxed, holiday-style experience.

Yes. Pre-Nursery and Nursery children each have their own uniform requirements, plus a PE kit for Nursery children. Uniform is supplied by Stevensons (with the exception of the girls’ winter tunic). Full details by age group and season are available from the Admissions Office.

Not automatically — but Nursery parents are given a priority window to secure their child’s place in our Reception class. Our admissions policy explains the process in full. Please contact the Admissions Office for details.