Welcome to Sibford Early Years

Sibford

Early Years

Ages 3 – 5

Where your child’s journey begins

Space to discover

We love being outside and getting muddy – a waterproof all-in-one is essential.

The best kind of learning happens in mud pits, where children work together creating rivers, engaging in imaginative play, or discover minibeasts. Our 50-acre grounds provide endless inspiration for learning – from picking blackberries for crumbles to harvesting vegetables for soups we cook together.

Nature walks invite us to explore the changing seasons, go pond dipping, or learn about plants. Our continuous care gives children space to develop their interests.

Large outdoor bricks transform into dens, tractors, or spaceships for journeys through time and imagination.

Children benefit from specialist Forest School teachers, and a chance to dip into a new skill like horticulture, pottery, swimming, magical adventures or music.

Space to grow

We aim to plant the seeds for a deep love of learning that flourishes at Sibford.

We encourage questions, curiosity, and child-led exploration. Our knowledge of each child, combined with small class sizes enables is to truly tailor learning – challenging some and taking a play-based approach for others.

In Reception, we read with children each day. They genuinely enjoy this one-on-one time with us, because we make space for success, with many exceeding year-end reading expectations.

Our curriculum focuses on stewardship and environmental care. We see ourselves as stewards of Sibford’s flora and fauna – building hedgehog houses, planting wildflowers for pollinators, making bird feeders, or rescuing playground worms. Children develop a deep respect for nature and understand the importance of caring for our world.

Space to belong

Early Years feels much like a family.

We focus on the prime areas of early development, knowing that when children feel safe with a sense of belonging, they can build strong relationships, settle happily, and be the best they can be in their learning.

We work closely with parents to make sure children settle well. Helping them explore emotions and navigate feelings is key, so we invest time teaching collaborative play and conflict resolution, building community and cultivating kindness. It’s a joy watching our older children model kind behaviour to guide the younger nursery friends.

Children can join Sibford Nursery from September after turning three, with Reception welcoming four-year-olds. Under the Early Education Funding Scheme, nursery children (ages 3-4) are eligible for up to 15 hours free funding weekly.

Our Day

8.30 – 10.35 Welcome and play

Children are welcomed into the main classroom, where they can play and settle, ready for a day of learning. They will have access to continuous provision both inside and outside during this time. We encourage children to follow their own lines of interest during this time and let them take a lead in their own learning.

Within this morning session, the reception children will be taken out for a short and discrete phonics/English session.  The length of these sessions links closely to the age and ability of the child.

At 10.15 all children will go outside to enjoy a play session with KS1.

10.35 – 11.05 Snack and a story

The children come in for a healthy snack of fruit, fresh bread and milk and listen to a story. After this we will have a short maths session. For nursery, they may just take part in a warm up maths song and for reception this may involve more targeted teaching.

11.05 – 11.45 Reading

The children will follow their own lines of interest in the main classroom with one adult while the teacher reads with the reception children 1:1. The reading session is very much tailored to the individual needs of the child and is something the children very much look forward too.

11.45 – 1.30 Lunch

We head over to the Dining Hall where we have our own small room space to eat our lunch.  We model good table manners and enjoy conversation. If the children stay for lunch they will receive a hot meal and they are encouraged to try new foods but we will not make a child eat anything. After lunch, the children have the opportunity to play in our Orchard and willow tunnel.

1.30 - 4.00 Afternoon activities

We have a whole array of lovely opportunities available for the children in the afternoons. They have Physical Education, Forest School in our onsite Forest School, Magical Adventures, music, swimming, pottery all taught by specialist teachers as well as activities in class such as cooking, puppet making and welly walks.

4.00 – 5.20 After school care

The school day finishes at 4pm when we then move into aftercare. This takes place in the Early Years setting where the children are given a snack before moving to the main room for a play session. Nursery children can remain until 4.30pm without additional charge. Recpetion children can remain until 5.20pm. (Booking is required)