Welcome to Babington House School Nursery and Preparatory School — where your child’s exciting journey begins.
From their very first day, pupils become part of our warm and thriving community. In our caring, co-educational environment, children are supported to flourish both academically and personally, laying strong foundations for life in the Senior School and beyond.
It is a true pleasure to welcome your child into the Babington family.
This site offers a helpful introduction to our Early Years Department, giving you the key information you’ll need ahead of your child’s start. At Babington, we believe in working together with families to nurture a lifelong love of learning.
Every day here is filled with joy, laughter, meaningful relationships, and impressive achievements. It’s a place where children feel happy, inspired, and confident — and where their potential is truly celebrated.
I can’t wait to welcome your child to Babington and am committed to supporting them on their journey to becoming a confident, curious, and compassionate global citizen.
Mr David Laird
Headteacher
Forms to Complete
Your first day
Starting Nursery or Reception is a big step — for both children and their families. It’s completely natural to feel a little nervous, but at Babington House, we’re here to make the transition as smooth, supportive, and joyful as possible. Our caring team takes the time to get to know each child, helping them to settle in at their own pace and feel safe, happy, and excited to learn. From day one, you’ll be part of a nurturing community that’s with you every step of the way.
Our Nursery offers full and part-time places with a minimum requirement of three sessions. You can adjust your chosen Nursery sessions by making a request via email to the EYFS Co-ordinator. A term’s notice is required for any reduction of sessions.
Morning sessions: 8:45am – 12:15pm, which includes lunch.
The afternoon sessions: 12:15pm – 3:15pm.
Full day: 8:30am – 3:15pm.
We offer a Breakfast Club from 7:30am to 8:30am and an After-School Club from 3:15pm until 6:00pm.
We have a free sibling club for children who have older siblings who finish at 3:20pm or 3:40pm, to enable parents to collect children at the same time.
The Nursery Daily Routine
8:20-8:45am Children arrive at the main gate entrance on Grange Drive
8:45-8:50am Children are registered
8:50am Children gather for a whole group carpet session
9:05am Free flowing activities are available for the children to choose
covering the seven areas of learning.
10:00am Morning snack.
11:15am Children gather for a whole group session and story time.
11:30-12:15 Lunch.
12:15pm Collection time for morning children. Dismissal is from the main
gate on Grange Drive.
12:15pm Children arrive for the afternoon session at the main gate on
Grange Drive.
12:15pm Afternoon registration.
12:30pm Free flowing activities are available for the children to choose
covering the seven areas of learning.
2:45pm Whole group story time and get ready for home time.
3:15pm Children are collected from the main gate on Grange Drive.
The Reception Daily Routine
8:20-8:45am Children arrive at the double gate on Clifford Avenue.
8:45-8:50am Children are registered.
8:50am Children gather for whole class Phonics session.
9.05am Free flowing activities are available for the children to choose
covering the seven areas of learning.
10:00am Break and snack time.
10:20am Assembly.
10:40am Free flowing activities are available for the children to choose
covering the seven areas of learning.
11:30am Lunch time.
12:15pm Children return to the classroom for a story session.
12:30pm Free flowing activities are available for the children to choose
covering the seven areas of learning.
1:30pm Children gather for whole class carpet session.
1:45pm Free flowing activities are available for the children to choose
covering the seven areas of learning.
2:45pm Whole group story time and get ready for home time.
3:15pm Children are collected from the double gate on Clifford Avenue.
Evidence Me
We can now share more information about what your child is doing in school.
The ‘Parent Share’ feature in Evidence Me (our chosen assessment system) enables you to view your child’s observations (complete with photos) via the app or web suite. This will show you what your child has been learning and the new skills they are developing. We think these will brighten up your day!
You can also send us your comments and feedback by adding them to the observations via the app or web suite. This will help our staff to support your child even more effectively in the classroom.
You can actively contribute to your child’s observation portfolio by uploading your own observations.
To enable us to set this up for you, please provide your permission for us to share your email address with evidence-me. Participation is optional, but we recommend getting involved.
Please complete the form, which you can find under ‘Forms to complete’.
If you provide your permission, you will receive an email from Evidence Me (donotreply@evidence.me) asking you to confirm that you would like to participate.
Ensure you check your spam/junk inbox, as sometimes emails can get lost there.
Further information and guidance can be found here.
Early Years Learning
Our recently refurbished Early Years setting provides the perfect safe and nurturing environment for young minds to play, explore and develop curiosity by leading their own learning, building positive relationships and having fun.
Through play, children learn about themselves and the world around them.
The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum is organised into seven areas of learning; underpinned by the characteristics of effective learning. There are three prime areas which are:
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Communication and language
- Physical development.
There are four specific areas which are:
- Understanding the world
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Expressive arts and design
Characteristics Of Effective Learning
At Babington House, we place the characteristics of effective learning at the heart of all that we do.
Through positive relationships and fun in a nurturing environment, children begin their learning journey.
The three characteristics of effective teaching and learning are:
- Playing and exploring – children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’.
- Active learning – children concentrate, keep on trying if they encounter difficulties and enjoy achievements.
- Creating and thinking critically – children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things. In Nursery the children focus on Little Wandle Foundations in Phonics.
Foundations in Phonics activities are adult led, focusing on the oral segmenting and blending of familiar words, rhyming and hearing initial sounds in words. Children play games which develop a range of skills to support their learning as they advance through the different phases of the programme. All activities are differentiated to suit each child’s level of development.
In Reception the children begin with a focus on the oral segmenting and blending of sounds.
The children then move onto phase two, where they will be focusing on recognising the sound in its written form.
Once the children have developed the skills of recognition, they may be ready to begin to segment and blend simple three letter words. All activities are differentiated to suit each child’s level of development.
Uniform
At Babington House School, our uniform reflects our pride in being part of a close-knit, respectful, and high-achieving community. All pupils are expected to wear the full school uniform, which is supplied by Oz Schoolwear and can be ordered online. Our uniform is designed to be smart, practical, and comfortable for young children as they explore, play, and learn throughout their day.
It’s important that every item of clothing, including shoes and accessories, is clearly named to avoid any confusion. Children will also need a Babington House book bag, a lunch bag, and a PE kit bag — all of which can be purchased through the uniform supplier. We recommend ordering early to ensure everything is ready in good time for the start of term.
Nursery Uniform List
Prep Uniform List
Co-curricular
We believe that learning extends far beyond the classroom. That’s why we offer a rich and varied co-curricular programme that allows children to discover new interests and develop various skills. From creative clubs like art and music to energetic sports sessions and fun language lessons, there’s something for every child to enjoy.
Clubs are held at lunchtime or after school, providing great opportunities for social interaction, self-expression, and confidence-building. A full list of available clubs is shared at the start of each term, and parents can book places through the school office. As spaces can be limited, we encourage early booking to avoid disappointment.
Please contact co-curricular@babingtonhouse.com.
Trips
Educational trips and outings play a key role in bringing learning to life. Our Early Years pupils enjoy a range of local visits and special excursions that enrich the curriculum and spark curiosity. Whether it’s a trip to the farm, a museum, or a seasonal outing, these experiences are thoughtfully planned to be both enjoyable and educational.
All trips are carefully risk-assessed, and parents are informed well in advance with details of the outing, including any costs involved. While some trips may request voluntary contributions, we aim to make experiences accessible for all. These special days often become treasured memories for our children and an important part of their learning journey.
Key Staff Contacts
At Babington House, we understand how important it is for parents to feel connected and supported. Our dedicated Early Years team is led by Mrs C Thomas and Mrs B Jackson, our Early Years Leads, who works closely with all Nursery and Reception staff to provide a nurturing and structured environment. The school is overseen by our Headteacher, Mr. David Laird, whose vision and leadership guide our whole-school community.
Should you have any questions or concerns, the school office is your first point of contact for general enquiries, absence reporting, or administrative matters. Staff are always happy to help, and communication with families is a top priority.
For pupil absence contact absence@babingtonhouse.com.
Mrs Thomas
EYFS Lead
clooker@babingtonhouse.com
Mrs Jackson
EYFS Lead
brjackson@babingtonhouse.com
Miss Hawkins
SENDCO
jhawkins@babingtonhouse.com
Additional Information
Wraparound Care
We know that modern family life can be busy, and we’re pleased to offer flexible wraparound care to support your schedule. Our Breakfast Club opens from 7:30am, offering a calm and friendly start to the day with a healthy breakfast provided. After school, children can attend our After School Club, which runs until 6:00pm and offers a mix of play, snacks, and quiet time.
These services are bookable in advance, and children are cared for by familiar, friendly staff who ensure they feel comfortable and secure during their extended day.
Healthy Eating
We place great importance on healthy eating and nutrition. Morning snacks and lunches are provided and are both balanced and appealing to young children. We encourage pupils to try new foods and develop good habits that will last a lifetime. Please ensure that any allergies or dietary requirements are clearly noted in your child’s medical form. As part of our health and safety policy, Babington House is a nut-free school.
Pastoral Care
The happiness and wellbeing of every child is at the heart of what we do. Our pastoral care system is designed to ensure that children feel safe, understood, and supported from their very first day. Class teachers play a central role in daily care and communication, and we foster a culture of kindness, respect, and emotional resilience. Activities like circle time and PSHE lessons help children explore feelings, build friendships, and develop a strong sense of self.
Safeguarding
Keeping our children safe is our top priority. We have robust safeguarding policies in place, and our staff receive regular training to ensure they are well-equipped to identify and respond to any concerns. The school’s Designated Safeguarding Leads are named in our policies and are always available for advice or support. We encourage open communication and a proactive approach to child protection.
Parent Portal
Once joined, families can access key school dates on the calendar and fixtures via our Parent Portal. Details on how to access and log in will be provided in due course.
Term Dates
School Policies
Visit our policies page to access all the school policies.
BHSFA
The BHSFA – Babington House School Friends’ Association – is a dedicated team of parent volunteers who organise fundraising events throughout the school year. Their goal is to support the school community by raising funds that directly benefit the children and enhance their experience at Babington.
A key part of the BHSFA’s fundraising efforts comes from the sale of pre-loved school uniform. Generously donated by current families, this uniform stock is sold at affordable prices. Sales take place regularly during the year – for dates and details, please check the weekly Babington Bulletin, contact your Form Rep, or email us directly.
