Welcome Message and ethos

At Little Seeds, our values of Growth, Perseverance, Positivity, and Achievement are at the core of everything we do. We nurture these qualities through a learning environment that inspires independence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.

We believe that every child is unique and develops at their own pace. Our holistic approach, delivered by caring and highly qualified staff, ensures that each child receives individualised support tailored to their needs. Whether your child is just beginning their nursery journey or preparing for school, we are here to give them the best possible start.

Learning through play is central to our philosophy, as it builds confidence and encourages children to try new things. We also believe that working in partnership with parents is key to helping children feel happy, confident, and supported in their learning.

Together, we create a nurturing foundation where every child can thrive.

What is unique about us

Our Nursery is placed within a school setting, working closely with the Reception class to support a smooth and confident transition for every child. As part of Aurora Academies Trust, we benefit from the expertise of a highly experienced Early Years Leader who has developed a bespoke curriculum for Reception, with nursery curriculum development currently underway.

This close alignment means that our Nursery team can begin to mirror the themes and approaches used in Reception, adapting them to suit the age and developmental stage of our children. By following shared topics and working collaboratively, we create a consistent and familiar learning journey that supports children as they move through the early years.

We also work in partnership with qualified teachers and leaders across all seven Aurora schools to plan and map our curriculum. This collaborative approach ensures that every child is supported by professionals who understand the progression from Nursery to School, helping to build confidence, continuity, and a love of learning from the very beginning.

Our outside environment

At Little Seeds, we believe that outdoor learning is a vital part of every child’s development. Our outdoor environment is thoughtfully designed to offer children a wealth of opportunities to grow, learn, and explore the world around them.

Outdoor play at Little Seeds is more than just fun, it is an essential part of our curriculum. We provide a dedicated mud kitchen where children can engage in real life experiences and explore natural resources. Our gutters and pipes allow children to investigate water play and discover how water travels, while our large sandpit encourages creativity and construction. The builder’s yard offers opportunities for imaginative role play, and our bikes help to develop gross motor skills.

We operate a free flow system throughout the day, enabling children who prefer to learn outdoors to do so at their own pace. By offering a rich variety of outdoor experiences, we help children build confidence, resilience, and a deeper understanding of the world.

From Nursery to School

Being part of a school-based Nursery brings many benefits to children, families, and staff. At Little Seeds, we work closely with the wider school community to ensure a smooth and well-supported experience for every child.

Our strong partnership with the School allows us to provide a joined up, nurturing, and consistent learning journey. This collaborative approach ensures that children feel secure and confident as they transition through their early years, giving them the best possible start to their education.

Our Curriculum

At Little Seeds, our Nursery follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework, enhanced by a specially designed Aurora Academies curriculum that covers all seven areas of learning. We achieve this by setting high standards, providing quality experiences, developing strong partnerships with parents and other professionals, and ensuring consistency and excellence in everything we do. Our aim is to lay a solid foundation for each child’s future learning.

We offer a broad and balanced curriculum that focuses on learning through play. Our engaging approach builds upon each child’s prior knowledge and skills, placing the child at the centre of their learning journey and valuing the importance of early years experiences.

Outdoor Activities

We recognise the importance of outdoor learning in supporting children’s physical, social, and emotional development. Our outdoor environment offers a range of activities that encourage exploration, creativity, and problem-solving. Children have daily opportunities to engage in outdoor play, which helps to develop their confidence, independence, and understanding of the world around them.

Early literacy is a key focus in our setting. We use the Read Write Inc programme to introduce phonics through fun, interactive sessions that help children develop their listening skills, sound recognition, and early reading abilities. Our approach is tailored to each child’s stage of development, ensuring that learning is both enjoyable and effective.

Numeracy

We support children’s mathematical development through practical, hands-on experiences. Activities such as counting, sorting, measuring, and exploring shapes are embedded in daily routines and play. This helps children build a strong foundation in numeracy and develop a positive attitude towards mathematics.

Personal, Social, and Emotional Development

Supporting children’s personal, social, and emotional skills is central to our approach. We use the Colour Monsters as a tool to help children recognise, understand, and regulate their emotions. Through stories, discussions, and activities, children learn to identify different feelings and develop strategies for managing them, fostering resilience, empathy, and positive relationships.

Tracking and Sharing Progress

We carefully monitor each child’s progress through regular observations and assessments. This information is used to plan next steps and ensure that every child receives the support they need. We value strong partnerships with parents and regularly share updates on children’s achievements and development through learning journals, parent meetings, and informal conversations. This collaborative approach ensures that parents are fully involved in their child’s learning journey.

What a typical day at Nursery looks like:-     

Time	Activity
08:00– 09:00	Wrap around care – free play
09:00–09:30	Register
09:30-11:00	Explore time - Adult lead/Child lead activities
09:30-11:15	Outside Free Flow
09:30-10:30	Small group planned session
09:45-10:15	Snack bar open
11:15-11:30	Group time - music and movement
11:30	Children go home
11:30	Children Lunch
12:30-14:15	Adult lead/Child lead activities
12:30-13:15	Outside free flow
13:00-14:00	Small group planned session
14:30	Whole group snack
14:45-15:00	Group time - story of week
15:00	Children go home
15:00-16:00	Wrap around care – free play