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The Croft Preschool and Reception

At The Croft Preschool, our mission is to provide each child with a strong start in their educational journey, ensuring they are fully prepared to transition to Tranby Prep School. We foster a nurturing environment built on community and mutual respect, treating each child as an individual and celebrating their unique successes.

Children can join us from the age of 2, specifically, the term before their third birthday. Joining us from this age ensures your child receives an outstanding education from a very young age. 

Why Choose The Croft Preschool?

  • A Strong Educational Foundation: From as young as two years old, Tranby children are taught by experienced teachers alongside our amazing nursery nurses. This collaborative approach ensures that your child’s early years are not only enjoyable but also rich in educational experiences.
  • Child-Initiated and Led Learning: We place considerable importance on child-initiated play and learning, allowing our pupils to creatively develop their ideas. This method gives them a head start in cultivating the vital characteristics of effective learning.
  • Holistic Educational Experience: We recognise the importance of providing an educational experience that goes beyond academics. We encourage each child to discover their strengths and passions by setting high expectations and embracing a 'no limits' approach to teaching and learning. Our curriculum includes focused daily mathematics and phonics sessions, ensuring your child gains the foundational skills they need for future success.

Engaging Curriculum and Activities

Our inspiring and exciting curriculum is designed to spark curiosity and a love for learning. We incorporate unique activities such as:

  • Daily Dough Disco Sessions: To develop fine motor skills.
  • Weekly Yoga Sessions: To improve focus and promote physical activity while practicing mindfulness and philosophy.

At preschool age, children are naturally curious, so it’s vital to nurture their inquisitive minds. Through our teaching methods, we encourage critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and respect for others.

Exceptional Outdoor Learning Environment

Your child will thrive in our state-of-the-art outdoor learning and exploration area. Being outdoors is crucial to our philosophy, and we spend significant time in our exceptional outdoor learning environment. We encourage children to dress for the weather by keeping waterproofs and wellington boots at school, allowing us to enjoy outdoor learning year-round. Our setting is purposefully designed to promote bravery and the development of key gross motor skills. In our vast outdoor space, our little learners love their:

  • Immersive sand and water discovery regions
  • Mud kitchen
  • Hobbit house
  • Outdoor construction zones
  • Climbing equipment
  • Tracks, paths, and tunnels

Our Foundation Stage Outdoor Learning Area also features a self-contained horticulture zone and a gated woodland experience, complete with a safe waterside pond viewing area and fire pit amphitheatre, making The Croft at Tranby a truly unique preschool setting.

Enriching Experiences Beyond the Classroom

To complement the learning taking place in our exceptional outdoor development, our pupils enjoy weekly visits to our very own Forest School, situated within our magnificent grounds. Here, children explore the wonders of nature and experience the changing seasons. Curiosity and creativity are qualities we nurture, as the children work together to complete physical, scientific, and creative challenges, all while developing their communication and language skills.

Educational Trips and Visits

We also offer a range of educational off-site visits and invite guest speakers to The Croft. Whether it’s a trip to the local bakery to learn about money exchange or a visit to the pet shop to gather supplies for our class pets, we strive to provide our pupils with meaningful learning opportunities while having lots of fun!

We strongly believe that a preschool setting should provide more than just excellent childcare. It should be a place where children embark upon their educational journey and their love of learning begins.

Our Outdoor Fun and Learning Zone

Our state-of-the-art outdoor exploration zone encourages inquisitive play, teamwork, bravery, and exercise. The children thrive in this tailor-made section of The Croft, which is unmatched by any other local preschool setting. Combined with our classroom teachings, children go home at the end of the school day tired but beaming after a day filled with discovery, growth, and learning. Whether they’re conquering new challenges or collaborating with friends, each moment fosters both personal and social development in a fun, nurturing environment. 

A Warm Welcome Awaits at The Croft Preschool and Reception

Prospective pupils may be registered for admission at any time. You can book a private tour HERE and meet Head of Prep, Catherine Sweeting along with students. 

Our Registrar Sharon McEwan is available to answer your questions. Please email Sharon.McEwan@tranby.org.uk or telephone 01482 657016.