Nurturing growth and curiosity in our Nursery
The Nursery years are a magical time for any little boy or girl. Their world grows enormously and it can be daunting at first, for both your child and you, but very quickly their sense of wonder and natural curiosity joyfully and voraciously emerge.
Our Nursery, first and foremost, is a safe and caring, homely environment where the wellbeing of every child is our utmost concern. Second only to that is our dedication to their rounded development, and testament to this is the advanced level at which they join Reception, compared to those without the Hydesville head start.
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Joining our Nursery
Children can join Hydesville Tower Nursery during the school term in which they turn two. Children can join on a part-time basis or a full-time basis. All part-time children move to a full-time place at the start of the Summer term before they join Reception.
We are open for a maximum of 49 weeks a year, dependent on demand and are open from 7.30 am - 6.00 pm during term time (38 weeks). Our termly fee covers provision for 38 weeks a year, 8.00am - 4.00pm. There is a small additional charge for 7.30 am - 8.00 am. Outside of these 38 weeks we offer fun clubs (9.00am - 4.00pm) where you have the option to choose for your child to attend as many sessions during these weeks that are suitable for your family.
We are closed for a fortnight at Christmas, one week at the end of the Summer holiday, all Bank Holidays and INSET training days.
Exploring passions
Our Nursery is open for a further 10 weeks outside of the school term time between the hours of 09:00am and 4:00pm where you have the option to choose for your child to attend as many sessions during those weeks that is suitable for your family, which could be all, none or any number in between.
Our year-round provision is designed to be flexible and fair; you only pay for what you use. This approach supports working parents and keeps little ones stimulated and entertained during long school holidays. It makes life easier for our busy Nursery mums and dads and more fun for their children. Below is a sample list of activities for a typical Nursery week during the holiday period:
Day | Morning Activities - Insects and Mini Beasts Theme | Afternoon Activities - Insects and Mini Beasts Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Arts and Crafts: Insect Stained Glass Windows | Sports Activities: Catching, Football, Bat, and Ball |
| Tuesday | Arts and Crafts: Insect Bug Gliders | Crafts: Mini Beasts Masks |
| Wednesday | Arts and Crafts: Bee Stacking Kits | Yoga, Dough Disco & Write Dance, and Outdoor Fun |
| Thursday | Arts and Crafts: Bumble Bee Weaving Kit | Outdoor Classroom Fun (Wellies & All-in-ones) |
| Friday | Arts and Crafts: Dangling Spider Kit | Face Painting and Glitter Tattoos |
Free Early Years Education
All three and four year olds are eligible for 15 hours free childcare provision from the term after the child has turned 3.
Children of working families are eligible for 30 hrs of free childcare. To claim this the parent must apply to HMRC website and receive a valid code to provide in good time to enable the school to receive the funding. Parents must periodically renew the code via HMRC.
From April 2024 2-year-olds of working families are able to receive 15 hours of free childcare. Criteria apply and parent must apply to HMRC to receive the valid code.
Any discount is applied to balance of fees due after the free hours have been accounted for.
Early Years Foundation Stage Profile Results
Our EYFS profile results are well above national levels and by the end of the academic year 2022/23, 90% of our Reception children reached a Good Level of Development. This compares to 64% of children in Walsall and 67% of children nationally.
Good Level of Development Children are defined as having reached a good level of development at the end of the EYFS if they have achieved at least the expected level in:
The early learning goals in the prime areas of learning (personal, social and emotional development; physical development; and communication and language).
The early learning goals in the specific areas of mathematics and literacy.
Year | % HTS Pupils achieving a Good Level of Achievement | National Scores |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 90% | 65% |
| 2022 | 84% | 64% |
| 2021 | 83% | NA |
Curriculum
Building foundations for lifelong learning
Nursery and Reception provide the foundation of a child’s learning. These ‘Early Years’ are a time for children to develop the skills needed to access the school curriculum from Year 1 upwards.
Our proven approach in Nursery is to deliver a careful balance of structured learning and child-initiated free play, where young ones can learn with enjoyment and challenge. We provide a safe, secure and stimulating environment for children to learn through an array of challenging opportunities and age-appropriate fun activities.
This works exceptionally well and enables our children to make significantly better than average progress.
The 3 Prime Areas
In the foundational years, we prioritise the three prime areas of learning, nurturing essential skills such as cooperation, effective communication, and physical independence in our young learners.
- sharing
- cooperating
- considering others
- choosing resources independently
- communicating needs and wants to staff and other children
- solving disagreements
- listening to and following instructions
- independent dressing and undressing for PE
- spatial awareness
- safety indoors and outdoors
- development of fine motor skills for writing
Exploring the four key areas of early learning
Through these four topics we engage the children and start their love of learning.
They are the precursors to the subjects studied in Key Stage 1 and beyond and cover subjects such as the use of technology in school and at home, the world around us and how we can affect it, animals and how to look after them, and personal history.
We primarily teach these subjects through led sessions but always allow the children opportunities to focus where interests lie and share their experiences and enthusiasm with the class.
The 4 Specific Areas of Learning:
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Dark green sweatshirt with crest
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Plain white polo shirt
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Dark green jogging bottoms
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Black pumps / Velcro style shoes (no laces)
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Green school coat
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Dark green scarf and gloves (optional)
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All-in-one waterproof suit (Forest Friday)
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Dark green sweatshirt with crest
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Plain white polo shirt
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Dark green jogging bottoms
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Black pumps / Velcro style shoes (no laces)
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Green school coat
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Dark green scarf and gloves (optional)
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All-in-one waterproof suit (Forest Friday)
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Wellies for Forest Friday
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Navy blue Hydesville book bag
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Green painting overall
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Water bottle
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Winter/Spring PE Kit for both boys & girls is green sweatshirt & joggers (usual uniform)
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Summer dress
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Burgundy cardigan with school crest
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White tights / socks
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Black pumps / Velcro style shoes (no laces)
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Green school blazer
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Straw boater
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Dark green sweatshirt with crest
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Plain white polo shirt
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Grey shorts
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Black pumps / Velcro style shoes (no laces)
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Green school blazer
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Grey long socks
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School cap
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Children come to school dressed in PE kit every Thursday
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White polo shirt
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Navy blue shorts
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Black pumps / Velcro style shoes (no laces)
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White ankle socks
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Green sweatshirts can be worn on chilly mornings and joggers with shorts underneath or tights for girls
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Earrings must be studs and not to be worn on PE days (taken out at home)
A safe, stimulating environment
In our Nursery, we prioritise creating a safe, secure, and stimulating environment. Through a diverse range of challenging opportunities and age-appropriate fun activities, we empower children to make significantly better-than-average progress. Our dedicated team ensures that the wellbeing of every child is our utmost concern, enabling their natural curiosity and sense of wonder to joyfully emerge.
Our deceptively large site features bright, well-resourced classrooms and a relaxing conservatory-style area for story-time. Outdoor spaces include a well-equipped Early Years learning area and private access to Walsall Arboretum.
Join us for an Open Event
At our Open Events you will have the opportunity to visit our school and learn more about what a Hydesville Tower education looks like.
Please click below to register to attend our upcoming Open Event. We can’t wait to meet you!
Complimentary taster sessions
Our exceptional teaching nursery provides a happy and nurturing environment in which children are sensitively and expertly prepared for school life.
Our complimentary taster sessions are an ideal opportunity for you and your child to experience our nursery together and without obligation. Meet our Head of Nursery, Mrs Smith, and her team of professionals and find out more about us.
You will see the well-equipped and comfortable facilities and your child will have the opportunity to play, interact and experience all that our stimulating environment has to offer, including our purpose-built outdoor classroom.
Forest School
Nature's classroom
We embrace the enriching experience of Forest School, a unique educational approach that takes learning beyond the traditional classroom setting. Our Forest School curriculum immerses pupils in outdoor activities, encouraging a deep connection with nature.
Set within the beautiful surroundings of Walsall Arboretum, our pupils engage in hands-on experiences, building essential life skills, fostering resilience, and developing a profound appreciation for the environment. Through exploration, creativity, and teamwork, Forest School at Hydesville Tower nurtures a sense of wonder and curiosity, contributing to well-rounded development in a natural and inspiring setting.
An education as unique as your child
2 - 4 yrs old
4 - 5 yrs old
5 - 7 yrs old
11 - 16 yrs old
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