Welcome
The development of a nursery at Lord Street Primary School will be rooted in Apex Collaborative Trust’s mission: To make a difference in our communities by placing learning at the heart of all we do.
This purpose will underpin every aspect of the nursery’s design, ensuring that the provision nurtures curiosity, fosters early learning, and supports families within the local community.
The nursery will also reflect the Trust’s vision: To be a collaborative and innovative Trust, which has the highest aspirations and provides the best opportunities for all of our students and staff to develop, thrive and succeed.
Our aim is to create an exceptional early years environment where children are able to thrive from the very beginning of their learning journey.
Chloe Whitaker – Headteacher
Proposed EYFS Nursery Provision
The new nursery will follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and offer
- A warm, nurturing, spacious environment design initially for 3-4 year olds.
- A play based, research informed curriculum.
- Highly trained staff supporting language, communication and early learning.
- Open ended resources that encourage imagination, problem-solving and exploration.
- Gentle routines that support independence and emotional security.
- A strong key person system to ensure every child feels known, valued and supported.
This provision will be designed to give children the strongest possible start.
Outdoor Play and Learning
Daily outdoor learning will be central to the nursery’s design, with a planned outdoor environment that allows children to:
- Explore natural materials.
- Build confidence through physical play.
- Engage in sensory-rich experiences.
- Develop wellbeing through time in nature.
Outdoor learning will be seamlessly integrated into the full nursery day.
Meet the Headteacher
Proposed Nature Based Outdoor Learning Programme
In addition to the outdoor area, the nursery will offer a nature based outdoor learning programme, making use of the school’s green spaces. The programme will give children opportunities to:
- Explore the natural world.
- Build resilience and confidence through supported challenges.
- Work together on creative and practical tasks.
- Follow their own interests using natural materials.
- Develop independence in a calm, enriching environment.
This long term, child centred approach supports holistic growth and nurtures a deep sense of connection with the outdoors.
Research-Informed Early Years Approach
The proposed nursery will be designed around evidence-based early childhood principles, including:
- High quality adult-child interactions.
- Strong emotional development and self regulation support.
- Sustained shared thinking.
- Purposeful learning through play.
This ensures that the provision is not only nurturing, but also developmentally powerful.
Preparing Children for Reception
The nursery will support children’s transition into school by developing:
- Early communication and phonological awareness.
- Early mathematical thinking through play
- Social confidence and cooperation.
- Independence and self-help skills.
- Familiar routines that prepare them for reception.
Close collaboration with the school’s Reception team will ensure that every child’s transition is smooth, positive and successful.
Package Summary
The new nursery at Lord Street Primary School will:
- Reflect Apex Collaborative Trust’s mission to place learning at the heart of everything.
- Bring the Trust’s vision for ambition, collaboration and trust into early years.
- Embed Apex values – Ambition, Collaboration and Trust – in its design, relationships and curriculum.
- Offer a research-informed EYFS provision delivered by trained practitioners.
- Provide rich indoor learning, daily outdoor play and a nature-based outdoor learning programme.
- Delivery full day, nurturing, high quality early years care.
The nursery will give children an exceptional start, supporting them to develop, thrive and succeed, exactly as the Trust’s vision intends.