Nursery

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Nursery playground updated

At Rainbow Forge Academy we provide a warm, nurturing and inspiring Early Years environment where children can learn, play and grow with confidence. We welcome children from the age of 2 years old, supporting them every step of the way until they move up to Reception.

Our experienced EYFS team creates exciting opportunities for children to explore, discover and develop through play, helping them build the skills they need for a happy and successful start to school life.

We believe children thrive when families and schools work together which is why parents are encouraged to play an active role in nursery life, joining us for a range of special events and celebrations throughout the year.

What makes us special?
  • Experienced and highly trained EYFS staff committed to continual professional development
  • High-quality learning environments designed around children’s interests and developmental needs
  • Excellent adult-child interactions that support language, confidence and learning through play
  • Seamless transition into Reception within the same school
  • Access to Breakfast Club and After-school Club for convenient wraparound care
  • Rich indoor and outdoor learning experiences every day
  • Strong partnerships with parents and opportunities to be involved in school life including sports days, fairs and themed events.
  • A caring, nurturing environment where every child is known, valued and encouraged to succeed.

Come and see us in action

We would love to welcome you to our nursery and show you how we help every child develop confidence, independence and a lifelong love of learning.

Contact us today to arrange a visit and discover how our EYFS provision can give your child the very best start.

Contact us to arrange a visit

Our Nursery Classes

To ensure every child receives the right support at the right stage of development, our nursery is organised into two dedicated classrooms.

Acorns Class (Ages 2-3)

  • Acorns provides a safe, caring and stimulating environment where our youngest learners can:
  • Build confidence and independence
  • Develop communication and language skills
  • Form positive relationships with others
  • Explore through play and hands-on experiences
  • Develop a love of learning from an early age

Our caring staff understand that every child is unique and ensure that learning opportunities are tailored to individual interests and needs.

Conkers Class

Conkers class supports older children as they prepare for their move into Reception. Children develop important early skills, including:

  • Early reading and phonics awareness
  • Early maths and numeracy skills
  • Confidence and resilience
  • Independence and self-care skills
  • Listening, communication and social skills

By gradually introducing routines and expectations that reflect school life, children feel confident, secure and ready for their transition into Reception.

Reasons to choose our nursery

As a nursery based within Rainbow Forge Primary Academy, we offer unique benefits that help children and families feel part of our school community from the very beginning.

A smooth transition to school

Our nursery children regularly experience life beyond the nursery classroom, including:

  • Visits to the school library
  • Use of the school hall
  • Access to our outdoor learning spaces
  • Participation in school events and celebrations.

By the time children start Reception, they are already familiar with their surroundings, helping them feel confident and reducing any worries about starting school.

Flexible childcare for families

We understand the challenges of balancing family life and work commitments. As part of a primary school, our nursery families can benefit from:

  • Access to Breakfast Club
  • Access to After-School Club
  • Convenient wraparound care
  • Affordable childcare options

This flexibility provides valuable support for busy families while ensuring children remain in a familiar and trusted environment.

Nursery funding and childcare options

We are committed to making high-quality early education accessible and affordable for all families.

We accept a range of funding options, including:

  • Working Parent Entitlement Funding
  • Means-Tested Funding
  • Tax-Free Childcare
  • Childcare vouchers (where applicable)
  • Other Government Childcare schemes
All children aged 3 and 4 years are entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare and eligible families may received 30 hours of funded childcare.

We also offer affordable paid-for sessions and are happy to discuss the best funding options for your family.

 

Contact us for more funding information

Learning through play

We use a play-based approach to learning. Children learn best when they are actively engaged, interested and enjoying themselves. Our highly skilled staff carefully observe children’s interests and use these to plan exciting experiences that promote learning across all areas of development.

Through high-quality interactions, our team supports and extends children’s:

  • Language and communication
  • Thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Social and emotional development
  • Confidence and independence

Outdoor learning

Outdoor learning is a key part of our EYFS curriculum. Our purpose-built outdoor area provides exciting opportunities for children to learn through active play every day.

Children enjoy:

  • Sand and water play
  • Climbing equipment
  • Bikes and wheeled toys
  • Ball games
  • Open-ended play resources.

Our continuous provision ensures children have access to rich learning opportunities throughout the day, both indoors and outdoors.

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A typical day in nursery

Our daily routine helps children feel secure while developing the independence and confidence needed for a successful start to school.  Below is an example of a typical day in nursery.

Activity What this involves
Morning welcome and breakfast Children receive a warm welcome, enjoy a healthy breakfast while spending time with friends.
Play-based learning and exploration Children take part in a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities that encourage curiosity, creativity and independence with adults skillfully guiding learning through play.
Morning small group learning Short, focused sessions help develop listening skills, communication, turn-taking and early learning habits.
Lunchtime Children enjoy lunch in our dedicated EYFS dining area, choosing either a school meal or a packed lunch from home.
Afternoon exploration and snack More play-based learning followed by a healthy snack.
Afternoon small group time A second small group session introduces early maths and phonics concepts in a fun way.
Contact us to book a visit to our nursery