Little Berries
Nursery and Pre-Prep
Our aim is to give your children the best start they can have in a safe, beautiful location with a friendly and caring staff
Little Berries (Nursery and Reception classes) has its own building where the children begin by learning through play using quality play equipment. They also have plenty of opportunity to make the most of the fresh country air and space. Burys Court site is shared with badgers, rabbits, pheasants and grouse. A herd of cattle, belonging to the farm at the end of the drive, is often a source of great interest to the children.
Little Berries children arrive from 8.30 a.m. and leave at 3.30 p.m. Our classes are small and friendly, and children are taught in small groups and on a one to one basis. Our staff are dedicated to encouraging children to achieve their potential whilst having fun, and much of the teaching, particularly in the nursery, is through play. The children are also taught cooperation and good manners.
As well as concentrating on Literacy and Numeracy, there is also plenty of time for Music and Movement, Nature Study, Art and many other activities. We are able to reinforce what we teach the children in Science by taking them out into our beautiful grounds to experience nature first hand. It is this additional level to the childhood experience that we believe sets us apart from other schools.
In the autumn term the children enjoy collecting apples from the orchard and making apple pies, then in the summer term, they sit in the bluebell wood painting the bluebells. Reception class have their own ant farm and butterfly farm, as well as being able to watch tadpoles grow into frogs before their eyes! This is what makes Burys Court such a special, magical place to start your children's education.
During the summer months, all Little Berries children have daily supervised access to the outdoor, heated swimming pool, and most will have achieved either 5m or 10m certificates by the time they move on to the prep school. The Nursery and Reception classes both follow the National Curriculum guidelines for the six areas of learning, and by the end of their time in reception we expect them to be competent readers and to have begun writing with confidence.
What Ofsted* said:
Little Berries, is described as 'a strength of the school' and the teaching there as "outstanding" due to 'the staff's good understanding of the needs of young children and the teachers' skill in providing a range of appropriate activities. The highest priority is given to the fostering of children's well-being. Relationships between children and staff are excellent. Children are given a good start in acquiring basic skills in literacy and numeracy and are well prepared for the next stage in their education"'.
*See reference and link to Ofsted Report on the home page
