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Stephen Perse Cambridge
Stephen Perse
Nursery and Early Years
Welcome from our
Head of Early Years
Welcome to our Stephen Perse Nurseries and Early Years. We are in the privileged position of starting your child’s journey within our vibrant school community. At this crucial stage, we gently and appropriately introduce our children to new social experiences, problems to solve, and present opportunities to explore and experiment. We value the importance of a happy childhood and encourage the children to be agents of their own learning.
Our Nurseries and Early Years are an exciting and unique part of our school. The spontaneity and energy of the children leads to a stimulating and positive environment for all those involved.
We look forward to welcoming you for a visit.
Our Early Years
Locations
Salisbury Villas, Cambridge
Salisbury Villas is just a stones throw from Cambridge railway station in the heart of the CB1 business hub, making it ideally located for parents who live and work in Cambridge or commute to London. It has a beautiful garden including sensory and physical play areas, a mud kitchen and growing area - and hosts Baby, Toddlers, Rising 3s and Kindergarten classes.
Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge
Our Shaftesbury Road building is only 10 minutes walk from Cambridge railway station. It has a beautiful garden surrounded by trees, and houses our Rising 3s, Kindergarten and Reception groups.
Madingley
Imagine a picture-book Victorian schoolhouse, overlooking open fields and next door to woodlands. It’s idyllic - and it’s our lovely rural site in the small village of Madingley near Cambridge, which hosts Baby, Toddlers, Rising 3s and Kindergarten classes.
Dame Bradbury's, Saffron Walden
Our Early Years classes at Saffron Walden are bright and spacious, with colourful indoor areas and exciting outdoor environments for sensory and physical play, including a garden area and an on-site Forest School. We cater for Rising Three’s, Kindergarten and Reception.
Cultivating curiosity, knowledge and confidence
Nursery and Early Years
We have superb facilities and resources at each nursery, all designed to give the children the best possible spaces to learn, develop and play in. We split the children into different age groups to best suit their needs and stage of development.
Nurturing development
Our Curriculum
We recognise children’s innate ability to explore and discover. Our classrooms are organised with the aim of encouraging independence and facilitating progression. Children are empowered to further their individual interests, rehearse the skills they have learnt and satisfy their natural curiosity.
Weekly themes for the youngest children and half termly topics inspire and introduce new concepts, developing the children’s vocabulary. Our approach to teaching is collaborative with even the youngest children freely contributing their ideas and taking a lead in their learning.
We ensure academic rigour is achieved through individual nurturing. We build the children’s self belief and resilience enabling them to thrive as they tackle increasingly challenging concepts. Our children develop fluency in and mastery of early maths and literacy skills.
Physical activity
We plan activities that promote spatial awareness, fine motor control, accuracy, hand-eye coordination, manipulative strength, and develop larger muscle movement – gross motor and locomotor skills, balance, bodily coordination, strength, agility and confidence.
Sensory play
Sensory play includes activities that stimulate children’s senses such as sight, sound, smell, taste or touch. These activities stimulate neurons in their brain to make connections, contributing to brain development. It also helps children work through their emotions, anxieties and frustrations.
Mindfulness
Young children have very intense feelings which sometimes lead to outbursts of anger or frustration, or perhaps being withdrawn. We use mindfulness to help children gain control of the moment and learn how to be kind to themselves – and others.
Loose parts creativity
Loose parts creativity uses materials and resources that have no pre-planned use and can be moved, combined with other resources, lined up, deconstructed and constructed again. It’s the ultimate release of imagination and creativity.
Musical experiences
Children of all ages express themselves through music and are often quick to sway, bounce, or move their hands in response to music they hear. Music helps develop creativity, physical skills and personal and social development as well as language development.
Role play
Role play is an important part of child development, building confidence, creativity, communication, physical development and problem solving. It also allows children to act out real life situations and roles, encouraging them to take risks and be creative with the role they are playing.
Our superb
Facilities
We have the very best facilities for our children, whether it is creative and adventurous outdoor spaces, or clean and carefully curated classrooms designed to help development and learning. All nurseries have green space for the children to safely roam and discover in.
Compliance
Ofsted Reports
Stephen Perse Nurseries were launched in 2019, please take a look through all of our excellent Ofsted reports since our launch.
Our environment
Early Years Life
Forest School
Our children experience unique learning opportunities on a weekly basis through our Forest School program. Led by our dedicated Forest School leader, the children’s appreciation of nature is nurtured and encouraged. Attending in all weathers provides exciting adventures which inherently builds the children’s resilience and adaptability.
Transition support
Head of Pre-Prep
Transition from Early Years to Junior School is an important time in our young learner’s, and their family’s, lives. My role as Head of Pre-Prep is to give an extra layer of nurture and support to our pupils in Reception to Year 2 as they make this important next step. Strong home school partnerships underpin successful learning which we build from welcoming parents and pupils each morning; to being a familiar face, in and out of class; and being an active individualised part of their academic achievements as children start in the Junior School.
The next step
Stephen Perse Cambridge Junior School
Our Stephen Perse Cambridge Junior School is just across the road from our Shaftesbury Road EYFS and we ensure those moving up are comfortable and well supported. Our Junior School is a buzzing, vibrant school, where curiosity and exploration are encouraged, and pupils are challenged to help them build the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to thrive in a changing world.
The next step
Dame Bradbury's Junior School
Our Dame Bradbury’s Junior School in Saffron Walden welcomes students from Rising Three’s up to Year 6. The school provides a vibrant, nurturing and inclusive environment that promotes exceptional pastoral care alongside personalised learning experiences for our pupils.
With exceptional sports, arts and science facilities, Dame Bradbury’s provides an environment where your child's potential is recognised, celebrated, and expertly developed.
Discover More
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