Nursery & Preschool
A Safe and
Nurturing Start
Polam Nursery and Preschool offers a calm, caring environment where children feel secure and supported from the very beginning. Through gentle routines, play, and trusted relationships, children settle happily and start their learning journey with confidence.
As part of the wider Polam community, our Nursery and Preschool provides a reassuring continuity of care, helping children feel confident as they grow and move on
How we encourage a love of learning
At Polam, learning begins with curiosity, imagination, and a love for discovery that grows every day.
- Curiosity
Exploring the world together
Children are encouraged to explore, question, and try things for themselves. Through play, sensory experiences, and everyday moments, curiosity is nurtured naturally, helping children develop a genuine interest in the world around them.
- Optimism
Building confidence from the start
We help children believe in themselves by celebrating effort, progress, and small successes. With encouragement and reassurance from familiar adults, children grow in confidence and begin to approach new experiences positively.
- Resilience
Learning to keep going
Children are gently supported to try again, solve problems, and learn from mistakes. Through play and routine, they develop perseverance and confidence, building the foundations they need for the next stage of learning.
- Empathy
Caring for ourselves and others
Through daily interactions, shared play, and thoughtful guidance, children learn to recognise feelings, show kindness, and build early friendships. Feeling understood and cared for helps children feel secure and ready to learn.
Swimming as part of school life
Swimming is part of the weekly timetable at Polam, taught in our own warm, indoor pool. Lessons are carefully planned to help children feel confident, safe, and comfortable in the water from an early age.
Swimming follows the Swim England Learn to Swim framework, with children working towards Duckling Awards as they develop independence in the water. Through gentle progression, children learn to float, travel, submerge, and move confidently, building skills at a pace that feels right for them.
As well as developing an essential life skill, swimming supports physical development, confidence, and resilience – helping children feel proud of what they can achieve.
Home and school, together
In Nursery and Preschool, children are supported by a small team of familiar adults who get to know them well over time. While a Key Worker helps provide consistency, children also benefit from building secure relationships with other staff, supporting confidence, flexibility, and continuity of care.
Daily care such as nappy changes, sleep, and meals is shared digitally for our youngest children, helping parents feel informed and reassured throughout the day.
Sharing through Tapestry
We use Tapestry as a secure online learning journal to share your child’s experiences and progress with you. Each week, we carefully select individual and group observations that reflect meaningful moments in your child’s learning.
This thoughtful approach allows our team to stay present with the children, focusing on play, exploration, and relationships – rather than constantly using iPads and cameras – while still keeping you connected to what matters most.
Parents are welcome to add their own photos, videos, and comments, helping to build a shared picture of learning between home and school.
Settling-In Sessions (Nursery & Preschool)
Shortly before your child joins Nursery or Preschool, we will contact you to arrange a series of settling-in sessions. The first session usually lasts 60–120 minutes, depending on your child’s age, with following sessions increasing in length. This gives your child time to meet the team, become familiar with the environment, and begin forming relationships with the adults and children in their class.
Settling-in sessions are carefully planned to support children in building confidence and independence. In most cases, parents do not stay during these sessions, as we find children often settle more quickly when they are supported directly by familiar staff in their new setting.
Please note that settling-in arrangements may be adjusted in discussion with the Nursery team, depending on how your child is settling. In some cases, we may offer additional short sessions or extend the settling-in period to ensure each child feels secure and ready. For the first two sessions, parents are asked to remain close by and available, and we recommend avoiding work commitments unless you are able to leave immediately if needed.
Book a Personal Tour
On our tours, you will have the opportunity to meet our Head and other key members of staff, and learn more about what an early education at Polam School looks like.