South Lee Nursery
Nursery is where children begin their school life and the South Lee experience. Children learn more during the first five years of their life than at any other time and we work towards guiding pupils towards their full potential within a caring and positive environment. South Lee Nursery welcomes children as young as three months old, ensuring a seamless transition from home to nursery life. Our facility is self-contained and secure, offering educational support for children up to four years old.
Located within purpose-built premises on the grounds of South Lee Prep School in Bury St. Edmunds, South Lee Nursery operates on weekdays from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with options for both year-round and term-time-only contracts. During these hours, we provide nutritious lunches and healthy snacks.
To ensure a smooth adjustment for your child, we recommend that new nursery starters attend a minimum of four sessions per week, equivalent to two full days. This helps your child become comfortable with their new environment, build relationships with our friendly staff, and establish a beneficial routine for their development.
Our breakfast club opens at 7:30 AM, catering to all pupils (term time only). Availability depends on the number and age of children, as we maintain strict adult-child ratios.
Our nursery building comprises four classrooms, each with direct access to secure outdoor play areas. Led by Mrs. Kaylee Williams, our highly qualified and enthusiastic staff create an engaging and enjoyable environment for children to learn and grow. Our curriculum planning aligns with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guidelines, incorporating a mix of adult-led and child-initiated activities on a daily basis.
Throughout their time at our nursery, children have access to a comprehensive and diverse curriculum, covering the three prime areas and four specific areas of learning outlined in the EYFS documentation. Our planning revolves around these core areas, offering activities and experiences that allow your child to thrive while having a joyful and exciting educational journey with us.
Nursery Sessions
All children in Suffolk are entitled to fifteen hours funded education each week. South Lee is part of this scheme and you are able to claim your funding by booking the following sessions:
Morning Session: 8.00am - 1.00pm
School Day Session: 8.00am - 4.00pm
Afternoon Session: 1.00pm - 6.00pm
Full Day Session: 8.00am - 6.00pm
Additional hours will incur charges. For details regarding fees, please reach out to the bursar or click the button below for more information.
Monday
Morning
EYFS Curriculum
PE
Afternoon
EYFS Curriculum
Drama
Tuesday
Morning
EYFS Curriculum
Physical Fun
French
Afternoon
EYFS Curriculum
Yoga
Wednesday
Morning
EYFS Curriculum
Art
Afternoon
EYFS Curriculum
Stave House (Music)
Thursday
Morning
EYFS Curriculum
Forest School
Afternoon
EYFS Curriculum
Make and Bake
Friday
Morning
EYFS Curriculum
Creative Crafts
Afternoon
EYFS Curriculum
STEM
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are you open all year round?
We are open all year round, 51 weeks of the year! The opening times are 8.00am to 6.00pm weekdays only, with the option of all year round or term time only contracts.
2. How are babies/ children settled into Nursery?
Settling into Nursery can be a challenging time for both children and parents! Some children settle straight into the new routine and environment, whereas others can take a little longer.
Here are some of the simple steps we take to aid the transition process and ensure all children and parents feel happy and comfortable:
Settling in Sessions
We offer settling in sessions for those joining us, where children/babies join in with Nursery activities for a couple of hours with their parent(s) so they become familiar with the new environment and staff. This is a valuable time for staff to learn more about the child/baby and their routines.
Any concerns parents have about their child/baby starting Nursery can be addressed during these sessions. Staff are on hand to answer questions and to discuss any individual needs.
In the Nursery, we try and incorporate the child/baby’s home routine as much as possible, as we find this helps with the settling process.
All About Me Booklets
We ask parents to complete an All About Me booklet about their child/baby before the settling in sessions as this shares important information with staff such as the child/baby’s likes, dislikes, interests, what they are able to do, what they struggle with and how they like to be comforted. The more information included in the booklets, the better! The child/baby’s key staff member will be able to use this information to understand where the child is developmentally, as well as plan appropriate activities that the child will enjoy and build confidence in.
Key Member of Staff
A key member of staff will be allocated to each child/baby when they join the Nursery. This enables them to build a relationship with the child/baby and complete regular observations so parents are kept informed of how the child/baby is progressing developmentally.
Comforters
We understand that many children use comforters such as blankets, teddy bears, bottles and dummies as a source of familiarity and comfort. We encourage parents to leave one (where possible) at Nursery in case a child/baby needs it. As the child/baby become more familiar with their new environment, they may become less dependent on the comforter.
3. Do you offer funded places?
We are pleased to offer 15 hours funded childcare. If you are unsure whether your child qualifies, please contact the School Bursar (01284 754 654)
4. What do I do if my child is unable to attend Nursery?
Please let us know as soon as possible if your child will not be attending their Nursery session/s as expected. This can be done by contacting the school office (01284 754 654 / office@southlee.co.uk) who will then inform Nursery staff.
5. If they are ill, do I need to pick them up?
We will contact you if we believe your child/baby is too unwell to be at Nursery. Our School Nurse is on hand to care for your child/baby until you arrive.
In the case of vomiting or diarrhea, please keep your child at home for 48 hours since the last episode.
Any child/baby with an allergy will need a completed medical form. This will be given to the School Nurse and a healthcare plan will be put in place.
Please inform the Nursery Manager or School Nurse if your baby is on any short or long term medication.
Parents are asked for a signed permission form for the School Nurse to administer medication. All medicine is safely stored in the locked medical room.
6. How do I inform you if I have changed my contact details?
Please keep us updated with any changes to your contact information. To update records, please provide the school office (01284 754 654 / office@southlee.co.uk) with your new contact details.