Little Cedars Nursery at Heathfield Knoll School

Owls, Bluebirds and Robins mark the early stages at Little Cedars, where woodland surroundings and play shape the nursery experience. This is Heathfield Knoll School’s nursery in Wolverley, Kidderminster. Children can start at 3 months; nursery care continues up to 3.5 years, followed by Preschool.

The age groups give that progression a clear shape: Owls covers 3–18 months, Bluebirds 18 months–2.5 years and Robins 2.5–3.5 years. Nursery and preschool together cover 3 months to 4 years.

Play provides the starting point for learning. Little Cedars follows the early years foundation stage (EYFS), which connects children’s learning with their development in communication, movement and personal and social skills. Individual learning goals help staff adapt activities to a child’s stage rather than treating the group as a single pace of learners.

Imaginative play and storytelling feature in the nursery’s approach. Role play gives children opportunities to explore feelings and work through problems, while stories create reasons to listen and talk. These are practical ways to bring language and social learning into ordinary play.

Learning also extends outdoors. The woodland setting supplies a physical context for the nursery’s outdoor emphasis, alongside indoor experiences. Nature activities and art are examples within its curriculum approach, giving children different ways to explore and express ideas. Staff use observations of children’s interests and development to shape what comes next.

Each child has an allocated key person: a familiar adult to seek out during the day. That practitioner watches both development and signs of distress, bringing care and learning into the same relationship. For a child adjusting to nursery, this gives separation from home a consistent point of support.

Parents can follow progress through the online journal, Tapestry, with daily updates. Twice-yearly parents’ evenings provide time to discuss learning goals and development in more depth. The combination gives families both everyday contact and a longer conversation about their child.

Additional needs have a nursery-specific contact through a dedicated SENCo, the special educational needs coordinator. Observation, information from parents and, where needed, advisory services contribute to assessment. When a need is identified, the SENCo coordinates a support plan and activities are adapted to the child. Parents remain involved in reviews.

Practitioners hold at least a level 3 childcare qualification or NNEB. Full-day sessions include lunch; tea is optional and carries an additional charge, so families can choose that element separately.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Reception applications begin with the school’s early years online form. Nursery families should confirm the application steps with admissions.

For children receiving SEN support, transition planning is part of the nursery’s work with families. Its purpose is continuity of support as the child moves to school. It is separate from securing admission.

Two full-day patterns are offered: 8:00am–5:00pm and an extended 7:30am–6:00pm day. Additional early and late sessions cover 7:30am–8:00am and 5:00pm–6:00pm respectively. These give families options around the main day.

Government funding is available. Contact info@hkschool.org.uk for funding details and current charges, including optional tea and late collection.

Enquiries begin with an online form recording the days and times required. If sessions are available, the admissions team arranges a personal tour of the early years setting. This lets families consider the nursery alongside the booking pattern they need.