Postby harriedmum » Mon Oct 07, 2013 11:57 am
Hello, this post seems a bit historic, but even if you have already visited the school, a parent's view often helps.
Both my children (one boy, one girl) went to the nursery at Parkgate House and it is lovely. It is a very nurturing, caring environment, which doesn't rush the children but gently moves them forward at their own pace. They focus a lot on seasonal festivals, fireworks, remembrance day, xmas etc, which gives the children a lovely sense of the world around them, while keeping it at their level.
There is no pressure on the children, no selection process ever and yet they are really well prepared for the transition to reception and onwards.
The staff are very friendly and caring and jolly and very happy to keep you up to date on what the children do on a daily basis, which is lovely as a parent if your child is not so good at explaining what they have done.
Lastly, especially in the second year of nursery they are extremely flexible on the amount of time your child can attend - anywhere from five mornings to five full days plus clubs if your child is up to it. My son was very active and so started the second year with two full days, three mornings and one club and was up to three fulls days and two mornings by the end of the year. My daughter was much more tired out by nursery and so worked her way up much slower (only getting to two full days, three mornings, no clubs), but never felt she missed out on what those children did who do five full days as the universal subjects (all montessori based) are done in the mornings when everyone attends, and the afternoons are more activity based play. (Hope I am explaining this well.)
In summary it's a great nursery that set my children up brilliantly for reception both socially and academically. I'll declare an interest my daughter still attends and is in Year 1.
Hope that helps. Cannot recommend it highly enough.
One month into the school term and both of my children are flourishing. And I agree with Cat - the other parents are fantastic. I consider myself lucky to have stumbled upon Parkgate.
