Nursery
Taking the first steps in a child's educational journey
At The Villa Nursery, we are dedicated to providing a nurturing, safe, and stimulating environment for children from the age of 2 years old. Our ethos is centered around fostering a love for learning and ensuring each child feels valued and supported.
Our curriculum sparks curiosity, creativity and a love for discovery and learning.
We believe the foundation of lifelong learning is built in the Early Years. By providing a nurturing environment, we help children explore their world, develop essential social and cognitive skills and build confidence.
Balancing play-based learning with structured activities, our curriculum offers a holistic education that prepares children for future success. It covers all seven areas of learning from the Early Years Foundation Stage through a topic-based approach. This approach integrates Language, Maths, Art and Personal and Social Development, allowing children to make connections across different areas.
Topics are based on children’s interests and experiences, making learning more engaging. The flexible curriculum adapts to their emerging needs, featuring hands-on activities that foster problem-solving, creativity, empathy and collaboration. For instance, projects about ‘Our Community’ help children understand their world, work as a team and develop social skills. We also encourage family participation to strengthen the connection between home and nursery.
Enriching and expanding the children's learning journey.
Extra curricular activities provide well-rounded educational experiences, equipping the children with essential skills that will contribute to their overall learning in a fun and engaging way. In Music and Movement, children engage in interactive lessons with singing, instruments and dance, developing rhythm, coordination and motor skills. Physical Education sessions with Mr. Crossman promote fitness, coordination and teamwork, encouraging children to collaborate, develop empathy and work well with others. Dance classes introduce creative movements, self-expression and various dance styles including multicultural dances. Yoga sessions teach relaxation, flexibility and focus in a fun age-appropriate way. Early language exposure through songs, games and storytelling helps children explore and broaden their understanding and appreciation of different cultures. Additionally, children enjoy weekly French lessons with our native French teacher Madame Séverine.
Providing nurturing after school care to support our working families.
Our Breakfast and Tea clubs offer children a nurturing home from home environment where children feel safe and well cared.
Our core day is from 9am to 4pm. We have early drop-offs from 8.00am or 8.30am. Extended days with tea is also available until 6.00pm.
Healthy and wholesome food for active bodies and minds.
Our menu is thoughtfully crafted to include a variety of fresh produce sourced from local suppliers, such as ‘Bora and Sons’ for fruits and vegetables, ‘Moxons’ for fish and ‘Proud Sow’ for meat and organic ingredients wherever possible. Our three-weekly menu is overseen by our proprietor, a consultant paediatrician, to ensure it offers the best possible nutrition for children of this age group. Meals are prepared in-house by our skilled kitchen team. Chef Luis and his assistant Nevji use healthy cooking methods, focusing on baking and grilling to preserve the natural goodness of ingredients and reduce unhealthy fats. We incorporate a range of whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats to support energy levels and concentration throughout the day. We accommodate diverse dietary needs and preferences, offering options for various allergies, intolerances, and religious beliefs. Our goal is to educate children about healthy eating habits, encouraging them to try new foods and appreciate the benefits of a balanced diet. Meals are served family-style to foster social skills and promote positive relationships with food.
The Nursery is open for 50 weeks of the year (closing for one week at Christmas and one week in the Summer), three staff training days per academic year and bank holidays.
Nursery closure:
Holidays: The Nursery will close at 6pm on Friday 20th December 2024 and will reopen on Thursday, 2nd January 2025. The Nursery will close at 6pm on Friday 25th July 2025 and will reopen on Monday, 4th August 2025.
Inset Days: The Nursery will close for three staff training days. Friday 30th August 2024, Thursday 28th November 2024 and Tuesday 22nd April 2025.
Equipped to conquer the world.
Feeding children into Prep Schools in the area and further afield, as well as local state schools. We have long standing relationships with local state and the local prep schools. Parents are supported during this time of transition. We provide schools with detailed reports and feedback to assist their 4+ application to prep schools. Our connections with Headteachers and SLTs in the local schools further supports our children’s transition at this crucial time where we welcome Reception teachers into our nursery. These meetings support the building of relationships between the children and their new teacher as well as facilitating discussions and information sharing between nursery and schools. 2024 School destinations include: The Villa Pre-Prep, Alleyns' School, The Belham, Bessemer Grange, Dog Kennel Hill, Dulwich Prep London, DUCKS, Dulwich Village Infants, Edmund Waller, Fairlawn, Goodrich, Goose Green, Haberdashers' Hatcham, Harris Academy East Dulwich, Heber, Herne Hill School, James Allen Girls School, Lyndhurst School, Judith Kerr, Oakfield Prep School, Oliver Goldsmith, Rosemead Prep School, St Dunstan’s College, St Johns & St Clements
"Both our girls could not have been more happy at the Villa nursery, and we have loved being part of the community and are very sad to be leaving. Thank you for all you do make it such a nurturing environment."
Parent
Nurturing growth from 2 years old onwards.
Children have the opportunity to spend up to two academic years with us before commencing primary schooling. Additionally, a cohort of pre-schoolers joins us for their final year of Nursery. Parents may register their child for our Nursery waiting list from birth. Children who are two years old by 31st August (turning three during the first academic year) will begin their journey in either the Ladybirds, Caterpillars, or Bumblebees class. Those in their pre-school year (turning four during the academic year) will join our Butterflies, Dragonflies, or Fireflies classes. Our Nursery has a minimum attendance of three days per week.
Our core hours are 9.00am to 4.00pm. We have early drop-offs from 8.00am or 8.30am. Extended days with tea is also available until 6.00pm.
Parents can apply at any point after birth using the online registration form and make a bank transfer of the £50 registration fee directly to the bank account detailed on the form. Please note that we may need to pause accepting registration forms if the age group is heavily oversubscribed.
Individual tours can be scheduled on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9.30am, 10.00am or 10.30am.
Please email Amy Wan at admissions@thevillaschoolandnursery.com.
Yes. Your child’s position on the waiting list is determined by their age at registration. If we are unable to offer a place, the child will automatically remain on the waiting list for possible admission the following autumn or as and when places become available.
Regrettably, due to a long waiting list, we are unable to keep parents regularly updated on their child’s position on the list. If your circumstances change after you have registered, and you are no longer looking for a place at the nursery, we would be very grateful if you could let us know.