Forest School Nursery
We are very proud of our nursery school provision, providing places from the age of 2 onwards. The nursery children spend a lot of time outdoors in our beautiful grounds, learning through explorative play. The period from birth to age 5 is known as the foundation stage and we adhere to the foundation stage curriculum which incorporates seven areas of learning and development:
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Communication and language
- Physical development
- Literacy
- Maths
- Understanding of the world
- Expressive arts and design
Your child will be assigned a key worker who will monitor and support your child with both their physical and emotional needs. They will also be your point of contact within the nursery.
The nursery session times are 8.30 – 11.30 and 12.15 – 3.15. If your child will be attending all day, they will also be present for lunch club which runs from 11.30 – 12.15. You are also able to book your child into our wraparound care.
The cost of nursery will be dependent on any funding you are eligible for. Both the morning and afternoon sessions cost £13.50 each and the lunch club costs £4 per day.
Nursery Funding
There are three types of funding, which can apply for through the Herefordshire council website on the link below.
Free early education and childcare – Herefordshire Council
2 year old funding. If you are eligible, you apply directly to the council and you will be given a NEF code, which you must pass on to the school so we can obtain the funding. A NEF code entitles you to 15 free hours, which can be used against the nursery sessions (3 hours long), but not the lunch club.
Universal funding for 3 and 4 year olds. Your child automatically becomes eligible for 15 free hours, the term after they turn 3.
| Children Who Are Born Between | Will Have a Free Place From |
|---|---|
1 January and 31 March |
April |
1 April and 31 March |
September |
1 September and 31 December |
January |
30 hours for 3 and 4 year olds. You will have to apply to the council for the additional 15 hours of funding to make up 30 hours on top of the universal funding. As per the table above, if you are eligible, the funding will be put in place the term after your child turns 3. You will be given a code, which you must revalidate every three months and you must pass this code to the school office to enable the school to claim your funding.
Nursery fees are invoiced monthly in arrears, less any funding you are entitled to.
Please see our prospectus for more information and please feel free to contact the school office with any queries, or to arrange a visit. We are also happy to offer a limited number of complimentary ‘settling in’ sessions for your child.
