Continuing the learning journey at the Prep

The Lodge Day Nursery has been created to provide the very best in child care, leading the way for others. As a school, we understand that as children develop, their care needs to change.  For this reason, we have a Nursery Class at the Prep which caters for the children in the year before they start formal education in the Reception year. Your child will move seamlessly up to the Nursery Class in the September after they turn 3 years old. The Nursery class runs during term time only but you will have the option of before school care in The Lodge Day Nursery for breakfast club and after-school care in the Nursery classroom with members of staff that the children will know from The Lodge. There is also a holiday provision in The Lodge for those who need it. All of these sessions need to be booked, and the case of holiday provision, well in advance, to ensure your child’s place is booked.

The Nursery class offers a very caring and nurturing environment

Our aim is to provide a nursery class in which children can enjoy learning in a happy, caring and positive environment. The Nursery Class is housed in friendly, welcoming purpose-built accommodation and is equipped to a high standard; it accommodates a maximum of 24 girls and boys between the ages of 3+ (the September after they turn 3) and 4+.

The children are given opportunities for structured and unstructured play and they learn through a range of first-hand experiences. In addition, they also have opportunities to develop learning skills, including numeracy and literacy, which help to ease their transition into the Reception Class.

There is a dedicated area for art, water and sand, and a secure area for outdoor play. Role play equipment is available and also an area for looking at books and following quiet pursuits.

The Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum is continued to be followed and this is organised into seven areas of learning:

The Nursery Class teacher and staff are well-qualified and experienced and the teacher:pupil ratio is very generous, enabling us to offer teaching, supervision and care of the highest quality. The Nursery Class staff work closely with staff in Reception and Years 1 and 2 and from time to time Nursery Class children join in activities, assemblies and concerts with the older children. Staff welcome contact with parents and actively encourage close co-operation between home and the Nursery. Children’s progress is observed carefully and parents receive written reports at the end of the Michaelmas and Summer terms. Parent Consultation Evenings are also held, but the most important contact is on a day to day basis.

There is a simple uniform in the Nursery Class for those completing hours above the free entitlement from Suffolk County Council.
Children wear clothes which are comfortable and practical for an active school day.

For more information about the Nursery Class and Ipswich Prep School, please see the School website.

When your child is approaching the time when they will move to the Nursery Class, we will invite you to visit the Prep and meet the staff.