Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56‘We are very excited today,’ the Head of Nursery explains, smiling and extending a steadying hand as a small child dashes past her. ‘The new Pirate Ship has just docked.’ As we follow the child, past walls bright with paintings, tables laid out with trains and blocks, and books – so many books – it is impossible to feel anything but secure. There is a comfortable disorder to the room. A member of staff is beginning to gather up scattered dolls from an interrupted tea party and, at the table where two of the children have been carefully forming letters, one of the chairs has been overturned by the hasty departure of its occupant. This is a place for fun and adventure. Some children first come with a parent to the weekly toddler group. It is a gentle introduction to Hatherop Castle, but there is such warmth and cheeriness to the Nursery, it won’t take long for even the shyest child to settle in and find his voice. Judging by the happy chatter from the garden, the children there certainly have! Outside, a fully-fledged pirate adventure is under way on the big wooden ship. It is interesting, watching the older children, to see how confident they are, enthusiastically directing smaller crew members, who seem surprisingly willing to fall in with the plans. Not long now until the captain will be heading up to Reception. Her eye on some imagined treasure island, she seems more than ready. The Nursery