Leatherhead Trinity School and Nursery: Nursery Review

Role play, stories and outdoor exploration give Leatherhead Trinity’s nursery its character. Play shapes the learning, while familiar routines give children a predictable sequence to follow. The nursery aims to build confidence and independence through relationships, practical experiences and time to explore.

This is the nursery within Leatherhead Trinity School and Nursery on Woodvill Road, Leatherhead. An Early Years team works with children and their families, and nursery staff collaborate with the Reception team. That connection supports familiarity with school life; admission to Reception remains a separate decision.

Children choose activities, reconnect with friends and receive individual attention from staff. Morning learning takes place inside and outside, with possibilities including construction, imaginative play, drawing and early writing. Adults participate in play to develop conversation and help children practise interacting with others. Children’s interests help shape what happens next.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework. Here, that means practical learning matched to each child’s development, with attention to relationships and the opportunities around them. Making, investigating and playing together give children ways to practise concentration, communication and cooperation. The emphasis is on doing.

Stories and songs bring children together for brief group activities. Rhymes and introductory phonics add early literacy to that shared time, while puzzles offer opportunities to solve problems. Outdoors, children have regular opportunities to move, explore and play imaginatively with others. The nursery also has a sensory area.

Afternoon activities combine further exploration with adult guidance. Children can return to something familiar or try a different activity, while staff observe their development and adjust support. Conversation and stories help bring the session towards its close, giving children a familiar ending as well as a familiar pattern through the day.

Settling centres on relationships and routines. Familiar adults offer reassurance, and families are encouraged to explain their child’s needs and preferences. This gives staff information they can use when adapting support, including for children who need more reassurance.

Snack breaks include sitting together, talking and practising independence. Where lunch applies, it also provides time for social interaction. Afterwards, quieter options include books, puzzles and calm play, with rest or reassurance offered according to children’s needs. Activity has pauses built into it.

Parents have regular consultations and can arrange additional meetings when needed. A written report follows at the academic year’s end. For additional needs, the school’s SENDCo can involve Early Years SEND Advisors and speech and language professionals. These provide routes for discussing support alongside the nursery team.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process, coordinated by Surrey County Council, and meet the applicable deadline.

Transition support is a separate matter. Nursery and Reception staff collaborate on children’s emotional and social preparation. For children who subsequently join Reception here, familiar surroundings and routines can make the change easier to understand. During 2024–2025, nursery-to-Reception transition work also involved the ASPIRE project with Surrey’s STIP Team.

The School Office handles nursery enquiries and requests to visit. Contact info@leatherheadtrinity.surrey.sch.uk or telephone 01372 813615 to arrange a visit or discuss the provision. The nursery is at Woodvill Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7BP.