Nursery World Awards 2022 - Pre-School of the Year

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At Willow Brook Preschool, part of Wolds Childcare, children are at the core of thoughts, practice, planning and delivery.

At the Forest School site, children are provided with a wide range of opportunities to extend their learning and benefit from wildlife areas, woodlands, fields, an allotment, and upcycled equipment to promote sustainability.

The setting uses recyclable materials for physical development activities and outdoor play, provides sustainable meals and is working towards Eco-Schools accreditation.

Children develop a love of learning through a comprehensive and extensive curriculum. They visit the local library and exchange books to promote a love of literature. Half-termly artist projects enable children to explore different approaches to art and cultures from around the world and encourage them to express their creativity. The setting celebrates all faiths and promotes inclusion through festivals such as Diwali, Holi, St. George’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day.

The children benefit from annual projects to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world, such as ‘tadpoles to frogs’, ‘caterpillars to butterflies’, and ‘healthy body, healthy me’. Children’s well-being is at the heart of everything, and they are encouraged to manage their feelings and behaviours and develop self-awareness via an ‘emotion station’ which enables them to consider and discuss how they are feeling on a daily basis.

Parents are very involved with preschool activities, volunteering on days out, donating resources to the Forest School, bringing in fruit and vegetable peelings from home to compost and donating flowers, seeds and vegetables for children to plant in their allotment.

Regular family picnics and celebrations are held in the Forest School and children are provided with a parent and child activity pack with ideas for things to do at home to support learning.

A strong team of qualified professionals, including university graduates, undergoes constant training in different areas of childcare. Each new employee is assigned a mentor to support them during their early months with a robust and thorough induction and probation process, which requires staff to create documentation to illustrate their practice.

Staff well-being sessions include Motivational Mondays, Thoughtful Thursdays and Fit Fridays.

The nursery is heavily involved in its local community, from providing its local community kitchen with fruit and vegetables from the allotment to regular visits from local professionals such as swimming instructors, doctors and dentists to enhance children’s knowledge and understanding of the world.

The setting also has a strong partnership with Willow Brook Primary School to ensure children and parents have a smooth transition to school.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Muddy Boots Pre-school, Bideford

Run from a purpose-built cabin, nestled in woodland and boasting its own private beach, Muddy Boots provides a unique platform for children to follow their own learning journey immersed in nature.

Children have circle time and produce a floor book at the end of each day to reflect on their activities, and regular questionnaires, consultations and campfire socials for parents help keep lines of communication open.

Staff aim to prepare children for school by developing confidence, independence, self-motivation, curiosity and resilience in a risk-assessed, nature-based environment.

Regular staff meetings focus on mental health and well-being, and a recent inspection noted that staff feel well supported and morale is exceptional. Staff socials and end of term team building exercises help practitioners feel motivated and appreciated.

FINALISTS

Ashby Pre-School Academy, Ashby De La Zouch

The Lime Trees, Burton Joyce, Nottinghamshire

CRITERION

Open to registered settings offering sessional care and education.