Headteacher’s Welcome

We are delighted you are considering our nursery school and look forward to welcoming your family.

Our nursery school is based on two different sites: Guildford Nursery School at York Road is in Guildford opposite Waitrose, and Guildford Nursery School at Hazel Avenue is on Bellfields, just a short distance from the centre of Guildford.

We’re a Surrey County Council maintained nursery school with qualified teachers who will lead your child’s development and learning every step of the way.

We’re incredibly proud of our large, open and inspiring learning spaces, where babies and children can investigate, learn and discover through exciting experiences – both indoors and outdoors.

We have a Froebelian ethos, which means our teaching is based on the ideas of Friedrich Froebel – an educational pioneer who believed in learning through play, creativity and hands-on experiences. This approach puts your child at the heart of everything we do, helping them to develop naturally through exploration and discovery.

At our nursery school, we believe every child deserves the very best start in life.

Our approach to learning

Freedom to explore
Your child can choose to play indoors or outdoors whenever they wish, spending as much time as they like in either space.

Hands-on experiences
We offer rich, meaningful activities including gardening, cooking, woodwork, sewing, climbing trees, fire lighting, and working with clay – all designed to spark curiosity and develop new skills.

Learning through choice
Children have the freedom to make their own choices, with caring adults nearby to guide and support them when needed.

Celebrating every child
We welcome and value each child exactly as they are, building on their unique strengths and providing the right support at just the right time.

Thoughtfully chosen resources
The materials we offer are carefully selected to encourage deep thinking and imagination. Many are reusable, recycled, and always beautifully presented to inspire wonder and creativity.

Time and space to grow
We give children plenty of time and space to play, communicate, and develop at their own pace.

Seeing the best in every child
Our staff always look for the positive intentions behind children’s actions, helping them learn and grow with kindness and understanding.

Responsive teaching
Adults carefully observe each child to understand their interests, then teach the skills and knowledge they need to flourish.

Warm, respectful relationships
The relationships between our staff and children are always warm and respectful. Together, we share in the joy and delight of discovery and learning.

Partnership with you
We work closely with families to help each child grow into a confident, independent learner who’s ready for the next stage in their education.

Building confidence and identity
We help children grow up feeling confident about who they are, in a spirit of friendship and respect for everyone.

Our values
We promote the fundamental values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

We look forward to working in partnership with you to give your child the very best start.