Use the menu below to find out about our nursery provision.
Welcome to Our Nursery
Thank you for your interest in the childcare provision at our school.
We are proud of our reputation for delivering high-quality nursery education and providing a caring, nurturing environment for all children. In October 2016, we moved into a fully refurbished and modernised building, offering a unique year-round childcare facility for children from 6 months old.
Our Rooms and Approach
Primrose (6 months – approx. 15 months)
Our dedicated baby unit provides a safe, calm, and stimulating environment where babies can learn and explore through play. The room has its own entrance and an on-site buggy park for convenience.
Bluebell (approx. 16 months onwards)
A warm, child-led environment where the seven areas of learning are introduced through exploration and discovery.
Blackberry (around 2 years old)
Children begin to experience more structured sessions, while still enjoying plenty of free play and child-led learning. Adults gently guide activities to support development. This room also offers free-flow access to a dedicated outdoor area.
Pre-school (from 3 years old)
Designed to nurture children’s natural curiosity and prepare them for school. Children enjoy a balance of structured learning and play, with opportunities to free-flow between classrooms and outdoor spaces. They often share outdoor areas with Reception (Year R) children, supporting a smooth transition to school.
Please note: The age at which children move to the next room is flexible and based on their developmental progress and emotional readiness.
Registration can be made online and submitted at any time, giving a preferred starting date.
The nursery office will contact you to confirm receipt of your application and arrange for payment of a registration fee if this is applicable to your booking.
We are aware that leaving a child with unfamiliar people can be very difficult for any parent. It can also be difficult for the child to part from you. But we can assure you that children do settle and we will keep you fully informed as to how your child is settling in.
To support children to settle: We ask parents to visit the nursery prior to booking to ensure our provision is what you’re seeking and give you the opportunity to ask questions of staff.
We encourage parents to give us as much information about their child as possible to aid us in creating a comfortable environment in which he/she can play, learn, relax and have fun.
We invite parents to spend a short session with their child in the nursery. This is an opportunity to observe the care and education we provide and to meet the staff who will be looking after your child.
A keyperson is allocated to each child and they will make efforts to speak with parents of new children every day while they are going through the initial settling in period (other staff will do this in their absence).
PARENT PARTNERSHIP
Bramble Nursery is committed to developing good relationships with parents. It is this relationship that contributes to a consistency of care and education that is of paramount importance for a child to develop and learn.
Parents are a child’s first and most important educators. Keypersons are in place to look after small groups of children and get to know each one individually. These Keypersons liaise with the child’s parents on a regular basis – usually on drop off or pick up times.
If you would like to speak with your child’s keyperson about your child’s development then we ask that you please book an appointment.
Meals and Refreshments
The nursery provides mid-morning and mid-afternoon refreshments, which include milk or water and a selection of healthy snacks. We occasionally introduce foods from different cultures to broaden children’s experiences.
Important: Parents and carers must inform the nursery of any allergies or religious dietary requirements.
For Babies
If your baby has not yet transitioned to cow’s milk, please supply either:
- Formula milk (which we will prepare as needed), or
- Breast milk in bottles.
Hot Lunches
We currently use the Caterlink school meals service to provide hot lunches during term time.
- Meals are nutritionally balanced and comply with the latest government food standards.
- Menus change every half term and can be viewed on the main school website under Parents → Catering.
- Meals must be booked in advance via the Admin Office.
Charges:
- Under 2 years: £2.90 per meal
- Over 2 years: £2.80 per meal
(During school holidays, lunches are prepared on-site and charged at £2.35 per meal.)
Teas
- Teas are prepared on-site year-round and charged at £2.00 per meal.
- Menus are issued termly, and orders can be placed through the nursery office.
Parents may also provide their child’s own packed lunch or tea at no additional cost. These must be cold, ready-to-eat meals.
Packed Meals
If providing a packed lunch or tea:
- All food must be in a clearly named container.
- Drinks and cutlery will be provided by the nursery.
- Please avoid foods containing nuts and do not include sweets.
Staffing Ratios and Qualifications
We adhere to the statutory minimum staffing ratios for early years settings:
- 6 months – 2 years: 1 adult to 3 children
- 2 – 3 years: 1 adult to 5 children
- 3 years and over: 1 adult to 8 children
These are the minimum requirements; in practice, we often have additional staff available to ensure the highest quality of care.
Staff Qualifications and Experience
- The majority of our staff hold recognised childcare qualifications, such as NNEB, BTEC, or NVQ.
- Some team members may be working towards their NVQ qualification under the close supervision of experienced, qualified staff.
- All senior staff are fully qualified and have a minimum of three years’ experience in a childcare setting.
- All staff undergo Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks to confirm their suitability to work with children.
- Qualified teachers from the school maintain close involvement in the nursery provision, ensuring continuity and high standards of education.
What to Bring
For Babies
- Nappies, wipes, lotions, and creams (these can be left at the nursery for convenience).
- Formula milk and bottles.
- Any comforters your child may need.
For Older Children
- A packed lunch (for sessions between 7:45 am – 12:45 pm) and/or a packed tea (for sessions between 12:45 pm – 5:30 pm). Tea is served at approximately 4:00 pm.
For All Children
- A complete change of clothes.
- Weather-appropriate clothing, such as a warm, waterproof coat and suitable shoes in winter, and a sun hat in summer.
- A clearly named plastic bag for any wet or soiled clothes.
- All personal belongings, including clothing, should be clearly labelled.
What to Wear
Children should wear clothes that are:
- Comfortable and easy to wash, as they will be exploring a variety of materials, including messy ones.
- Simple and practical, allowing them to dress and undress independently. This helps develop self-care skills, such as using the toilet and putting on outdoor clothing without assistance.
Please avoid:
- Braces and ‘all-in-one’ suits, as these can make dressing difficult.
- Jewellery. If earrings are worn, they must be small stud types only.
Important: All clothing and personal items should be clearly named to prevent loss.
Our Curriculum and Areas of Learning
At our nursery, all children follow a curriculum based on the seven areas of development outlined in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). It is expected that most children will achieve the Early Learning Goals by the end of their Reception Year in infant school.
The seven areas of learning are divided into two categories: Prime Areas and Specific Areas.
Prime Areas
These are the fundamental areas of development that underpin all learning in the early years:
Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED)
Focuses on building confidence, independence, and the ability to concentrate, share, and work as part of a group. Children develop positive attitudes towards learning, social skills, and the ability to form strong relationships with adults and peers.
Communication and Language (CL)
Encourages early language acquisition and the development of speaking, listening, and understanding skills. Staff model clear communication and extend vocabulary through children’s individual interests.
Physical Development (PD)
Supports the development of strength, coordination, and motor skills, alongside self-care and an understanding of personal hygiene.
Specific Areas
These areas build on the Prime Areas and introduce essential skills and knowledge:
Literacy
Children explore books, stories, and mark-making activities to develop early reading and writing skills.
Mathematics
Through play and practical activities, children learn about counting, sorting, shapes, space, measurement, and problem-solving.
Understanding the World
Encourages curiosity about the world through exploration, investigation, and the use of resources such as maps, sensory items, and technology, including an interactive whiteboard in our Pre-school classroom.
Expressive Arts and Design
Provides opportunities for creativity through art, music, drama, and imaginative play, allowing children to express themselves using colour, shape, sound, and movement.
Learning Environment
Each classroom is thoughtfully arranged to incorporate all seven areas of learning, enabling children to explore independently and engage in meaningful activities. Outdoor learning is also a key part of our curriculum, with access to gardens, bikes, balancing equipment, and regular music and movement sessions to promote physical development.
We work closely with families to support milestones such as toilet training and oral health, including participation in the Portsmouth University Brush Up tooth-brushing programme. All children are encouraged to take part in at least 10 minutes of high-impact exercise daily to promote heart health.
Our Values
Alongside the EYFS framework, we embed our STAR values throughout nursery life:
Succeed, Think, Aspire, Respect.
These values help children develop the Characteristics of Effective Learning, fostering curiosity, resilience, and a love for learning.
We greatly value parents’ feedback on all aspects of the care and education we provide. Your compliments about our school and nursery are always appreciated, and your suggestions are important to us. Wherever possible, we will incorporate ideas that enhance our provision. Our aim is to ensure that your child enjoys a rich and varied experience with us, engaging in activities that foster learning and the development of new skills.
If you have any concerns or are dissatisfied with any aspect of our service, please speak directly with the Nursery Manager or Deputy. All concerns will be listened to carefully and recorded. The Headteacher will be informed immediately, and we will work in partnership with you to resolve the matter promptly.
If you remain unsatisfied with the outcome, you may contact Ofsted Early Years, our registering body, at the following address:
Ofsted National Centre
National Business Unit
Royal Exchange Buildings
St Ann’s Square
Manchester M2 7LA
Ofsted Early Years Complaints Line: 0845 640 4040
A full copy of our ‘Complaints Procedure’ is available upon request. All policies and procedures are accessible to parents; please speak to a member of staff if you would like a copy of any or all of these documents.
Nursery Manager: Miss Becks Williams
Nursery Deputy: Mrs Tanzina Ahmed
Bramble Infant School & Nursery
Bramble Road
Southsea
PO4 0DT
Tel: 02392 815460
Email: nurseryoffice@bramble.portsmouth.sch.uk
All year round - You pay for 51 weeks of the year
51 weeks stretch funded – You will receive funding, and it is stretched to cover 51 weeks of the year.
48 weeks stretch funded - You will receive funding, and it is stretched to cover 48 weeks of the year.
Term Time - You pay for 39 weeks of the year or receive funding for 38 weeks and pay for the remaining week.
Term Time Funded - You receive 38 weeks of funding. (Please note that a school year is 39 weeks.)
Autumn Term
Thursday 4th September 2025 - Term starts for all children.
Monday 27th October 2025 to Sunday 2nd November 2025 – HALF TERM for term time and term time funded children.
Friday 19th December 2025 - End of Term for all term time and 48 weeks stretch funded children.
Tuesday 23rd December 2025 - End of Term for 51 weeks stretch funded children.
Spring Term
Friday 2nd January 2026 – Term begins for 51 weeks, and 48 weeks stretch funded children.
Monday 5th January - INSET Day School and Nursery Closed
Tuesday 6th January 2026 - Term begins for term time only and term time funded children.
If you have any questions, or would like to arrange a visit please contact us via phone or email.
