Hello and welcome to Nursery Opals Class! I’m Mrs Berry, and I am delighted to be welcoming you and your child to our Nursery family. I have been a teacher at our school for over 23 years, so I feel incredibly privileged to be part of so many children’s first steps in their educational journey. I am also a mum to two children and have two dogs! Outside of school, I love long walks, spending precious time with my family and, of course, enjoying a good piece of cake!

Alongside me is Mrs Squires, our Nursery Nurse, who is also a highly experienced practitioner. She has a real passion for working with our youngest children and is dedicated to helping every child feel happy, confident and ready to learn.

As parents ourselves, we understand that starting Nursery and school can feel like a very big step for both children and their families. We are incredibly proud to be the starting point for your child’s journey through the Netherhall Learning Campus. In Opals Class, we want every child to feel safe, special and that they truly belong. Our Christian values of Love, Compassion, Respect and Trust underpin everything we do and guide the way we care for, support and nurture every child.

Nursery is a very special time when children learn through play, exploration, curiosity and relationships. We support children to develop their communication and language skills, build friendships, learn to share and take turns, become more independent and develop confidence in themselves. They explore early reading, phonics, writing and mathematical ideas, while also discovering the world around them through nature, people, communities, music, art, stories and imaginative play. We encourage children to develop their physical skills, manage their emotions, solve problems, make choices and become enthusiastic, resilient learners.

Most importantly, we want our children to have fun, feel loved and valued, and develop a lifelong love of learning. We look forward to getting to know each and every one of our Opals and working closely with you to give your child the happiest possible start to their school journey.