• Home
  • Our School
  • Nursery
  • Pre-prep
  • Prep
  • Seniors
  • Galleries
  • Facility Hire

Little GEMS Nursery

Little GEMS Nursery provides outstanding early years education at Sherfield. Children can join Little GEMS from the age of three months, progressing through different parts of the setting named after gemstones (Rubies, Amethysts and Diamonds).  Children then move on to our Pre-Reception and Reception classes, which are housed within GEMS Plus (which is for children aged from 3 – 8 years). 

Little GEMS Nursery has a stunning play area and established garden, as well as access to our beautiful school grounds.  Our outdoor provision is an integral part of the children’s daily routine.  This provides opportunities for the children to enjoy fresh air and contact with nature and also promotes a healthy lifestyle, supporting children’s physical and mental health and development, physical activity, rest and relaxation.  
Our team of dedicated, experienced and qualified nursery staff provide a high level of care and education, as well as making each child’s time at nursery inspirational, fun and exciting. We offer a happy and stimulating learning environment in which the children can grow and develop to their full potential. The nursery provides equal opportunities for all children and values differences in cultures and beliefs.
The learning environment at Little GEMS is carefully planned for every stage of your child’s development and capacity for learning. All our children are encouraged to learn through their play and real experiences. 
With a key person responsible for each child’s wellbeing and development, babies, toddlers and young children benefit from having secure attachments and parents enjoy continuity in communication. All children have a Learning Journey book in which the key person records observations, activities, photographs and special moments for the parents to see.
 
EYFS
 
Little GEMS Nursery curriculum is based on the Early Years Foundation Stage framework which includes the following 7 areas of learning and development that shape the educational programmes in the early years settings. Three areas are particularly crucial for ignity children's curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive.  These three prime areas are: 
• Communication and Language
• Physical Development
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Little GEMS also supports children in four specific areas, through which the three primae areas are strengthened and applied.  These specific areas are:
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World 
• Expressive Arts and Design 
 
This framework not only provides guidelines for standards for learning and development, but also sets a framework for partnership between professionals and parents.  This curriculum is enhanced by our own Little GEMS International curriculum which includes the following bespoke programmes:
 
• Stretch and Learn
• Digi-learning
• World Languages
• Mini Maestro
• Eco Adventurers
 
Inspection
 
The Early Years and Nursery were inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate in October 2010.The effectiveness of the Early Years provision was judged as outstanding in all of the 4 areas, provision, leadership and management, and learning outcomes for the children.
 
Settings
 
Rubies
Our Rubies room creates a warm, friendly and welcoming setting for babies aged from 3 months to approximately 22 months.  The children are cared for by fully trained staff who forge strong partnerships with parents, giving reassurance and excellent feedback about their child’s day at Nursery. We provide a wealth of stimulating activities and experiences for the children to enjoy, which promote their all-round development. The young children also have twice weekly sessions of World Languages, encouraging their ability to listen, make sounds and join in with rhymes and songs, as well as other programmes including the Stretch and Learn programme to encourage physical development.
 
Amethysts
Our Amethysts rooms provide for the next stage in your child’s development from approx 2yrs – 3yrs. The fully trained and carefully selected staff provide excellent support for the next stages of children’s learning.  Practitioners work together to ensure that the progress of each child is carefully assessed and monitored. Children begin to get used to a daily routine, and there are many opportunities for building confidence and independence. The children continue their twice weekly sessions of World Languages and are encouraged to participate and enjoy a follow-up activity associated with each particular language.  The Stretch and Learn programme continues to foster physical development and co-ordination appropriate for this age group.
 
Sapphires
Our Sapphires room provides an age-appropriate and structured daily routine for children aged from 3yrs. The children are encouraged to be independent in preparation for the Pre-Reception class. All children have a key person who works with the parents and child to focus on individual progress and development.  The children continue to benefit from the Little GEMS bespoke programmes, including World Languages, Stretch and Learn and Mini Maestro as well as published programmes such as Write Dance.  There are also weekly visits to the school library and dance studio. As well as planned activities, the children are able to use independent choices as part of the routine to further build confidence and independence. The children will also visit and spend time in the Pre-Reception setting as part of the transition process to prepare them for school routine.
 

Pre-reception and Reception

When the children move into Pre-Reception (Age 3+) and Reception (Age 4+),  the curriculum continues to be based on the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) curriculum which incorporates Communication, Language; Literacy; Problem Solving, Reasoning &; Numeracy; Knowledge & Understanding of the World; Physical Development and Creative Development. Personal, Social and Emotional Development continues to be a priority for our children.  The children have lessons with specialist subject teachers for PE, World Languages (one term each of Spanish, French and German), Music and ICT.  We have an attractive outdoor classroom, which ensures that all areas of the Foundation Stage curriculum can be accessed outside. The children are encouraged to free flow between areas and to develop skills as independent learners, choosing from a broad range of adult-led and child-initiated activities which promote all areas of learning. We have an holistic approach to education and use an exercise programme each day to enhance physical and cognitive development.

Back to Top