Welcome to the Nursery

Hatherop Castle Nursery is a friendly and nurturing place for your child to begin his or her school life, in the stunning grounds of Hatherop Castle.

Positive first experiences away from home are key to laying the foundations for a successful education. Our focus is always on your child’s wellbeing and enjoyment, because we know that happy, stimulated children excel.

When you are two years old, there’s so much to discover about the world – life is one long adventure. At Hatherop Castle Nursery, we encourage our children to grasp all the opportunities on offer with both hands. They are active all day, trying new skills, exploring ideas and generally getting stuck in, in our cheerful and engaging classrooms.

The Curiosity Approach

The Curiosity Approach is an educational philosophy that emphasises child-led learning through exploration, play, and discovery. Drawing inspiration from Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and Steiner, it blends their principles to create a nurturing and stimulating environment, perfectly aligned with the ‘adventure of childhood’ at Hatherop Castle School. The key elements of The Curiosity Approach are intrinsically linked to the school’s ethos of fostering awe and wonder in every child’s educational journey.

Child Led Learning

At Hatherop Castle School, children embark on their adventures by following their interests and curiosities, with educators acting as guides rather than directors. This promotes independence, critical thinking, and creativity, making each day a new journey of discovery and laying the foundations for a life-long love of learning

Environment as the Third Teacher

We recognise the importance of an engaging and inspiring physical environment and our learning spaces extend far beyond the Nursery building. The forest, treehouse, Walled Garden and the many play spaces in our glorious grounds, all enhance the learning experience. Natural materials, open-ended resources, and aesthetically pleasing setups invite children to explore and learn through play, creating a sense of awe and wonder as they interact with their surroundings.

Simplicity and Minimalism

A calm and organised space helps children focus better on their exploration, learning and play. Simplicity allows space for discovery, enabling children to immerse themselves fully in their explorations.

Sustainability

There is a strong connection to nature and the environment, promoting outdoor learning and play, an
appreciation of the natural world and learning about sustainability from a young age. This connection
fosters both a sense of wonder and respect for the natural world, making every outdoor experience part of the adventure.


By embracing The Curiosity Approach, Hatherop Castle School creates a rich, thoughtful environment where children are trusted to lead their learning. Our philosophy fosters a love of learning, resilience, and a lifelong sense of curiosity, ensuring that every child experiences the magical journey of childhood in its fullest sense, filled with awe and wonder at every turn.

"Friendly, dedicated staff and nurturing atmosphere more than make up any lack of superficial glitz and parents we spoke to were verging on evangelical, ‘It was the nursery that sold the school to us,’ said one. Several said that for them, the fact that the nursery is run along ‘traditional’ lines was a deciding factor. " Good Schools Guide 2018