We began by imagining a nursery your little adventurers would love. Seventy five acres of parkland and woods, hiding places, things to be discovered, unstructured adventure and the untidy beauty of the seasons – this is Forest Explorers. A big, big outdoors and a cosy indoor woodland-themed space are worlds for your children to explore.

Our Nursery

Forest Explorers Nursery is for children from the term they turn three and offers wraparound care from 7.30am-7.30pm, and 15 hours of Early Years Funding until a child's fifth birthday.

Set in 75 acres of beautiful countryside, Forest Explorers has outdoor play areas, an orchard, mud kitchen and plenty of space for building dens and exploring. It also has use of the first class facilities of the Senior School including the astro, swimming pool, sports halls, theatre and music block.

Our nursery is run by highly qualified and experienced staff with specialist teachers for PE, French, Music, Drama and Dance. All staff support the children in every aspect of their development and help prepare them for the transition to Reception.

View our Prep School Prospectus

Philosophy

Philosophy

A blended approach to learning inside the classroom and outside, all linked to the Early Years Curriculum, ensures that children develop a wide range of skills and a real love of the outdoors. In the forest children can think creatively, step out of their comfort zone and work together with their friends. Imaginations can run free, curiosity creeps in, and confidence and independence grow.

Whether it is reading, arts, craft, music or sport, children have a wide range of activities to choose from to nurture their imagination through play and exploration.

Caterpillars

Children can join the Nursery from the term they turn three and spend their first year at Nursery in Caterpillar class before moving up to Butterflies.

Ahead of children joining, we offer Stay and Play dates with families in the Nursery, and two fun settling in sessions where new joiners can meet the other children and staff in their Nursery setting.

A typical day for children in Caterpillar’s may involve counting and sorting beads, acting out a story, playing outside on the climbing equipment in the Early Year’s garden and even trampolining in the Sports Hall. In the afternoon they might make stick people in the forest, play in the mud kitchen before ending the days with a story and a song.

Butterflies

For the last year of Nursery, children move up to Butterflies. As well as maintaining the ethos and way of learning through play indoors and outdoors, we take great care to ensure children acquire the fundamental building blocks of learning and development as they progress through to their Reception year.

With that in mind the focus for our Butterfly children is getting them ready and prepared for Reception. They have structured learning to enable them to write their name and number recognition as well as reinforcing key skills including being responsible for their belongings, using cutlery and dressing themselves.

Parent and Toddler Group

Every Friday during term-time from 10am to 11am, families with pre-school children are welcome to join our free Parent and Toddler Group. These sessions feature fun play, creative crafts, and enjoyable singing or a story time. It's a fantastic chance to explore the school, meet other families, and let your child have a great time playing. The sessions are suitable for parents with children from new-born to 3 years. To join us, please email admissions@kentcollege.kent.sch.uk.