The Croft Preparatory School

Nursery - Reception (Early Years Foundation Stage)

Children aged 2-5 years.

Our Early Years Aim is 'To provide a high quality, developmentally appropriate, exciting, active and challenging curriculum which lays the foundations for children's later learning, but which has regard to their present individual needs'

In the Early Years at The Croft Preparatory School, we recognise each child as an individual, following their own developmental path. The individual needs, as well as interests of every child, are catered for by our caring, experienced highly qualified staff.

We are justifiably proud of our Early Years areas. Each classroom has an adjacent outdoor area which provides an enabling environment for children to explore. Activities in Early Years take place both indoors and out – we recognise that some children, especially boys, learn better outdoors. Early Years classes regularly explore the 30 acres of School Grounds, visiting the chickens, pigs, the vegetable and herb gardens, the Science Pond and the lake, on investigative walks.

We also enable plentiful opportunities for developing self-confidence and self-esteem as well as independence. We facilitate close links with home, encouraging parents to tell us about children's achievements outside School, so that we can share in their success.

The Early Years department was declared 'Outstanding' in all areas by the Independent Schools Inspectorate in 2012. The report stated that The Croft had caring staff, who ensure that all children’s needs are met. As a result, children achieve well, with most children exceeding the Early Learning Goals in all areas of learning by the end of Reception.