Providing the highest standard of care, support and education.
St. Helen’s College Nursery, open year-round from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., provides outstanding education and care for children aged 2 to 4 years.
Where curiosity begins and confidence grows
Our Nursery is an integrated part of our Lower School, making full use of the grounds and facilities. A dedicated, secure outdoor area with age-appropriate equipment for young children is also accessed daily.
All of our staff members are fully qualified, dedicated and experienced Early Years specialists. Our staff expertise, underpinned by a deep understanding of child development, enables us to deliver outstanding support for each individual child during this crucial early stage of learning.
A nurturing environment where children thrive
We prioritise a generous staff-to-pupil ratio, which allows us to develop a deep knowledge of each child and to spend meaningful time with them, helping every child reach their full potential. Our teaching draws on a blend of approaches, including the Early Learning Goals, the Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning, elements of the Montessori approach and interactive reading.
By integrating these methods with an emphasis on hands-on learning and developing real-world skills, we create a unique and creative curriculum that encourages children to take risks confidently and to feel comfortable tackling challenges as part of their learning journey.
Learning and development throughout our early years
Ducklings – 2 to 3 Years
Our Ducklings pupils learn through play, exploration, and imagination. Our pupils successfully build early social skills, develop language through songs and stories, strengthen coordination with climbing, painting and puzzles, enjoy sensory fun like sand and water play, and practise simple self-help routines.
Our vibrant curriculum supports every child to make friends, learn to share and work together. Our Ducklings grow in confidence through storytelling and role play, build early literacy and mathematical skills such as counting and recognising shapes and colours, and refine fine motor skills with cutting, gluing and drawing – all while expressing creativity through art, music and pretend play.
Each day includes free play, stories, outdoor adventures, creative activities and small-group learning, providing the perfect blend of learning, care and fun.
Cygnets – 3 to 4 Years
Our Cygnet pupils enjoy a rich, play-based environment that nurtures independence, confidence and curiosity. They develop strong social skills by forming friendships, collaborating in group activities, and beginning to solve conflicts with support.
Language flourishes through storytelling, show-and-tell, imaginative role play and early phonics games. Early literacy and mathematical skills grow as children recognise letters and sounds, write simple marks or letters, count with accuracy, compare quantities and explore shapes and patterns.
Physical development is strengthened through climbing, balancing, sports-style games and fine-motor activities like cutting, threading and early writing practice.
Creativity thrives through art, music, dance and small-world play, while curiosity is encouraged through simple science experiments, nature exploration and problem-solving challenges.
Each day blends free play, focused small-group learning, outdoor discovery, creative projects and calm moments – supporting children as they become confident, school-ready learners.
Get Started
Discover St. Helen’s College Today
Throughout the year we run Open Events and offer bespoke individual tours. Book your visit today.