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Squirrels Nursery

 

 

From September 2026, we're pleased to offer extended provision, giving families greater flexibility and continuity of care.

Find out more about how we are extending our school here.

 

Squirrels Nursery

Northbourne Park’s Squirrels Nursery provides a happy, safe, and stimulating environment, where children aged between 2 and 4 years-old thrive and learn, supported by adults who understand and care for them.  

Encompassing our incredible outdoor learning spaces and three bright and spacious classrooms, our Squirrels Nursery class benefit from small group sizes and a dedicated team of specialist Early Years and subject teachers who provide a diverse range of fun and enriching activities and learning experiences every day. 

Offering 48 weeks a year of care from September 2026, we are pleased to offer Free Early Education funded hours, flexible sessions, and Wraparound Care options.  

We invite all families & children to join our free Stay & Play sessions for 0 to 4 years-old, an opportunity to meet our staff and explore the school on Monday mornings, (9.30am to 10.30am) in term time.

Want to find out more? Book a visit.

Why join Northbourne Park’s Squirrels Nursery? 

Innovative outdoor learning

Located on the rural Betteshanger estate, Northbourne Park is an “outdoor school”. With waterproof trousers and wellington boots an essential part of their uniform, our children are outside every day in rain or shine, enjoying our secure and well-resourced gardens, woods, and surrounding countryside.  

Forest School takes place once a week; taught by a specialist teacher, Forest School is opportunity for the children to work and play in a natural environment, building their self-confidence and self-esteem through child-led, hands-on learning experiences.  

A nurturing, family environment

With small group sizes and generous adult to child ratios, we ensure that all children are cared for and supported according to their individual needs. Regular communication takes place between parent and school, and we use a variety of methods to keep parents updated on their child’s wellbeing and development, including Tapestry our online Learning Journey app.

Inspirational specialist teaching

As well as Forest School, Squirrels enjoy weekly Music, French and P.E. activities. Specialist teachers from both our Pre-Prep & Prep Schools deliver ambitious and inspiring sessions, with the children benefiting from their subject expertise and enthusiasm. 

With a unique bilingual programme for French-speakers at the Prep School (read about our Section Française Bilingue here), Nursery children are taught French by native-French speakers and enjoy regular visits from our older French and Spanish pupils.   

An integrated pre-school experience

The Nursery is part of our busy Pre-Prep, with the site housing our Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 classes. Children from 2 to 7 years old spend time together at lunch times and break times, and Squirrels join school assemblies, workshops and events throughout the year. We have four School Houses (Marlborough, Nelson, Wellington & Drake), and all Nursery children have opportunities to earn House Points through the school day. The Pre-Prep’s Old Rectory has its own Music Room, Computing Room and Library, and Squirrels also make use of the Prep School’s extensive grounds and facilities. 

All of this makes for a seamless transition to our Reception class, with abundant opportunities for our oldest Nursery children to meet the teacher and spend time in the Reception, “Rabbits’”, classroom.

Flexibility for working families

Open for 48 weeks a year from September 2026, Squirrels Nursery offers consistency for children, with high quality care in a nurturing and ambitious early years environment through term time and school holidays. With sessions available from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm and a term-time bus service serving much of the local area, Squirrels Nursery is a nursery that works for the working family.

Squirrel Nursery

Session Timings (Monday to Friday) 

Morning: 8.30am to 10.00am 

Morning: 10.00am (& lunch) to 1.00pm 

Afternoon: 1.00pm to 4.00pm 

Full day:  8.30am to 4.00pm 

Read more about session prices and Early Years Funding options here.

Curriculum 

The EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) is the statutory framework for the learning, development and care of children from birth to five. We plan a range of stimulating and fun activities to cover all areas of learning through topics which follow the children’s interests and the continuous provision we offer. We also carefully plan the environment, both indoors and outdoors to enable the children to become confident, happy, independent learners with inquiring minds. 

Uniform 

The Northbourne Park School uniform is smart but practical and comfortable for our youngest pupils. Squirrels wear branded, navy jogging bottoms and branded sweatshirts. 

Find the full uniform list and information about ordering here.

Food 

All food is prepared by Northbourne Park School's in-house catering team. Nutritious (and delicious!) snacks are available in the mornings and afternoons, and a hot lunch is served daily. Particularly pertinent for our youngest children, there is an emphasis on food education, building a positive relationship with food and trying new things! We can cater to a variety of dietary preferences and requirements.

Find the term's menus for meals and snacks here.

 

Daily Routine Example 

Our daily routine provides a balance between child-initiated and adult-directed activities. Through observation and interaction with each child and talking to the parents, we build a picture of the child’s abilities and interests, allowing us to plan for the next steps in their learning. 

From 8.00am – Breakfast Service (Wraparound Care) 

8.30am - 10.00am Child-initiated indoor and outdoor activities, including story time & topic discussion 

10.00am - 11.00am Morning snack & break 

11.00am - 12.30pm Child-initiated indoor and outdoor activities, including story time & topic discussion 

12.30pm - 2.00pm Lunch & outdoor play 

2.00pm Child-initiated indoor and outdoor activities, including story time & topic discussion 

3.30pm Afternoon snack

4.00pm End of day 

4.00pm - 6.00pm Late Service & tea (Wraparound Care) 

 

Join us

We would be delighted to welcome you to Northbourne Park School soon.

Stay & Play sessions

Families are invited to attend our free Stay & Play sessions (term-time Mondays, between 9.30 am and 10.30 am). The sessions are a wonderful way to explore Squirrels Nursery with your child, and our experienced Early Years team are on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Book a tour

To find out more or book a visit, click the link below, email admissions@northbournepark.com or call 01304 611215.

Book your visit here.