Early Years Foundation Stage 

A MAGICAL START TO LEARNING, LED BY NATURE, PLAY AND EXPERTISE

Our Early Years provision begins in a purpose-built nursery designed to provide a calm, welcoming and stimulating first experience of school and extends into Reception with two classes housed across three thoughtfully arranged classrooms. We create an environment where every child is known, nurtured and given the space to grow. The setting has been carefully developed to support exploration, independence and early language development from day one. Natural light, purposeful layout and a seamless indoor-outdoor flow make our Nursery and Reception the perfect foundation for a lifelong love of learning.

A dedicated Forest School programme is at the heart of our Early Years offer, giving children regular opportunities to explore nature, take managed risks and build resilience. Our expansive outdoor classroom is used daily - whatever the weather - providing rich opportunities for storytelling, science, imaginative play and physical development. Here, children dig, build, climb, question and collaborate in a space designed to fuel curiosity and confidence. The result is a joyful, active learning experience that helps children develop not just academically, but socially and emotionally too.

Everything we do in Early Years is grounded in high expectations and deep understanding of how young children learn. Our experienced team ensures that every moment - from snack time to story time - is used to develop language, critical thinking and creativity. Children are supported to become independent, reflective and kind learners, ready to thrive in Reception and beyond. From their very first day at Ravenstone, children are immersed in an environment that celebrates play, fosters inquiry and builds the skills they will carry with them throughout their education.