Community Nursery & Early Years

Early Years Foundation Stage Unit

Hope School’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) caters for children aged 2–5 within a fully inclusive unit, educating mainstream children alongside their peers with additional needs during their Reception year.

Children are surrounded by a nurturing environment that promotes personal, social and emotional development whilst supporting early communication and language skills. We pride ourselves on providing purposeful early education and encouraging healthy practices from the very beginning.

Our excellent indoor and outdoor learning facilities inspire curiosity, exploration and enthusiasm for learning. The outdoor area provides a safe and engaging environment where children can explore, develop interests and build confidence through play.

A dedicated team of nurturing staff is committed to giving every child the best possible start to their educational journey. Through a child-led curriculum tailored to individual needs, children are encouraged to develop their own pathways of learning.

We support children’s progress through a personalised curriculum based on the EYFS framework, designed to meet each child’s individual needs.

Please note: We operate a staggered intake at the beginning of the academic year. Please refer to your child’s information pack for their start date rather than the school holiday calendar.

Two-Year-Old Provision

Our vibrant and nurturing two-year-old room provides young learners with a wide range of experiences focused on the prime areas of learning.

We offer eight dedicated places for our youngest learners. Places are available through:

• 15 funded hours (morning or afternoon sessions)
• Privately funded places (full days, 8:00am–4:00pm)

To arrange a visit or enquire about availability, please contact the school.

Rising Three-Year-Olds

Within our Early Years Unit, we also offer places for three-year-olds.

Subject to availability (and eligibility where children have attended our two-year-old provision), children may access places in January and April. A variety of session options are available Monday to Friday between 8:00am and 6:00pm.

Community Nursery (Pre-School Year)

Our Early Years classroom provides an exciting and stimulating environment designed to support learning and progress, whatever a child’s starting point.

We want every child to have the best possible start in life, developing the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to make sense of the world around them.

We provide opportunities to develop friendships and deliver a communication-rich curriculum that inspires learning, ignites curiosity and encourages engagement through high-quality experiences.

Early phonics is incorporated into weekly enhanced activities, helping children develop essential literacy skills from an early age.

Curriculum planning balances adult-led and child-led learning, drawing upon the EYFS framework to ensure both core and specific skills are developed through the learning environment.

We believe the Early Years should foster a lifelong love of learning and encourage children to explore beyond their favourite activities. Our environment is carefully structured to support all children in learning in the way that suits them best.

Outdoor learning is equally important. We embrace opportunities to learn through nature, whether observing seasonal changes, exploring how the wind carries bubbles, or growing herbs and strawberries in our garden.

We are proud to be fully inclusive, supporting children from the local community alongside children who may require more specialised educational provision.

For children wishing to access 15 or 30 funded hours, or additional childcare between 8:00am and 6:00pm during their nursery year, please contact the school to arrange a visit.

Reception

Reception-aged children requiring specialised educational provision access places through applications to the Local Authority rather than directly through the school. For further information, please visit our Admissions page.

At Hope School, our dynamic and unique Early Years curriculum has been carefully designed to ensure that cognitive development progresses alongside personal, social, communication and physical development.

We offer a total communication approach, with communication-friendly spaces that support language and listening skills. Learners are encouraged to use Signalong alongside the Core Word Approach, helping them discover different ways to communicate effectively.

Our curriculum fully embraces the seven areas of learning within the EYFS framework, providing a broad and personalised range of learning opportunities. Individual needs and interests remain at the heart of all planning and provision.

We work closely with parents, carers and other professionals to ensure:

• Positive relationships
• Consistency of support
• A holistic approach to learning and development

Learning opportunities are carefully planned to develop exploratory and functional play skills, encourage children to understand boundaries and celebrate their achievements through engaging and personalised experiences.

Outdoor learning forms an important part of our curriculum. We learn and explore in all weather conditions, so don’t forget your wellies.

Early literacy, reading, mathematical understanding and problem-solving skills are embedded throughout the EYFS curriculum. Learning takes place through both child-initiated activities and adult-led focus sessions.

Our environment focuses on developing communication, social interaction and essential life skills. The EYFS curriculum provides children with a strong foundation for future learning, supporting their transition into Key Stage 1 and beyond whilst ensuring the very best start to their educational journey.

Information for All Families

Lunches

• School lunch: £2.60 per meal
• Reception children are entitled to Free School Meals

Chargeable Extras

• Snacks: £1.50 per week
• Sensory Cooking: £1.00 per week
• Additional activities, trips and educational visits may incur separate charges.

Caterpillar Before and After School Club

Hope School offers wraparound care for children aged 3–11 during term time.

For more information, please contact the school and ask for Sharron Yates.

Crazy Caterpillar Holiday Club

Our holiday club is a fully inclusive provision for children aged 3–11 from both the local community and Hope School (where funding arrangements apply).

Children can enjoy a variety of fun and engaging activities, including:

• Arts and crafts
• Sports activities
• Themed activity days
• Warm water pool sessions
• Visits from external activity providers

Fees

Two-Year-Old Provision Fees

Community Nursery Fees

Holiday Club Fees

Please note: SEND places are allocated on a funding basis and are arranged with the Holiday Club Lead. For further information, please contact Sharron Yates on 01942 824150.