Graffham Nursery
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Welcome to

our school

Welcome to Graffham Nursery School – “Fostering creativity, inspiring curiosity, nurturing respect.”
We understand that choosing a setting for your young child can be a daunting decision. We are always happy to meet with prospective families and warmly invite you to contact us to arrange a visit, discuss any questions you may have or enquire about availability of places.
At Graffham Nursery we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum and its underlying principles of a unique child, positive relationships and enabling environments. We promote individual learning and development. Our curriculum provides opportunities for learning and development in all 7 areas of the EYFS framework.

Our beautiful nursery is situated within the main building of Graffham Infant School in the idyllic South Downs village of Graffham, between Petworth and Midhurst. Close links to Graffham School provide fantastic opportunities for the nursery children.

Why Graffham Nursery?

OUR TEAM

Our team of staff use their various skills, interests and strengths to support the development of the children in their care. They come from a diverse range of backgrounds but are certainly united in their dedication and passion for working with young children in a child-led, play-based way. They are highly qualified and experienced practitioners and each member of the team is DBS, Disqualification and Health checked which ensure they are eligible to care for and work with your children.

MANAGEMENT & PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

Graffham Nursery School is a registered charity managed by a voluntary committee of parents with children at the Nursery and Associates of Graffham Infant School.
When your child starts at Nursery, you automatically get family membership to Graffham Nursery School. This means that one parent or guardian can vote at any general meetings of the Nursery and be eligible to join the committee. There is at least one general meeting per year.
More details can be found in our constitution, a copy of which is available at Nursery.

SJ Wethered

SJ Wethered

Early Years Leader
Nikki Moore

Nikki Moore

Nursery Manager
Chihiro Harrison

Chihiro Harrison

Early Years Practitioner
Emma Bailey

Emma Bailey

Early Years Practitioner and Forest School Leader
Sonya Gillespie

Sonya Gillespie

Nursery Administrator
Bank Staff

Bank Staff

We always welcome interest and CVs

A Hygge Atmosphere

We believe that children learn best when they are calm, happy, safe and have a sense of belonging. Through our Hygge In the Early Years Accreditation we have been developing our learning environment to ensure each child’s voice is heard, that they and their families feel welcomed and respected. We are slowing down and enjoying each little moment of joy which makes up a life, from watching a butterfly in the garden, to enjoying a homemade cookie and glass of milk together, to snuggling in a blanket and sharing a story.
We know that many children in the modern world are exposed to far less time outside and far more time inside in front of screens. We are passionate about reversing this imbalance. We are embracing the unique opportunities the natural world can offer children, going on walks, building dens and hunting for creatures. We are also bringing warmth and nature into the classroom with plants, natural treasures, gentle lighting and soft furnishings so that children always have a homely space to relax in, watch the world and speak with friends.
We endeavour to ensure all aspects of our provision are set up in an accessible and thoughtful way with the interests of the child at heart. Children can access the paint, playdough, their wellies or coats. Children thrive on freedom to make decisions and time and space to be independent, solving their own problems, building on their resilience. We want our classroom to reflect all of the adults and children who use it, for it to be inviting and homely, somewhere we can all fulfil our potential!

What the parents say

“This wonderful nursery is located in a beautiful, peaceful and inspirational setting. The children regularly enjoy being outside and love learning about nature under the watchful eye of the caring and attentive staff. My son is very happy there, I could not recommend Graffham nursery more.”

Georgie

“We couldn’t be happier with the nursery. The staff provide a nurturing environment which allows the children to feel comfortable and gain confidence from a young age. Our daughter has made some lovely friends and she loves attending the nursery.”

Holly

Mother of 3-year old

“I was worried when my two-year-old daughter started at nursery as she’d never been away from me before. Graffham Nursery was so brilliant at helping us both to settle in. Now she loves it and can’t wait to go!”

Esther

How to enrol your child?

Interested in good preschool education for your child? Our nursery is the right decision! We currently have places available at the nursery and are always happy to meet people who are interested in registering their children for coming years. We generally have a high demand for places, but even in very busy times places do open up unexpectedly, so please do come and meet us! Call us on 01798 867 324 or Email nursery@graffhaminfant.org.uk

Find Out More

Gallery

graffhamnursery

graffhamnursery
When your children are obsessed with dogs and bein When your children are obsessed with dogs and being Paw Patrol 'pups'......
Instagram post 17899206473394938 Instagram post 17899206473394938
All families welcome, please email us to book a ti All families welcome, please email us to book a ticket.

#duncton #familyfriendly #activitiesforthekids #activitiesforthefamily #graffham #graffhamanddunctonschools #petworthuk #familyfilms #movienight #familyfilmnight #charitypreschool #fundraiser #fundraisingforcharity #localcommunity #preschool #hyggeintheearlyyearsaccreditation #hyggenursery #westsussex #thingstodoinwestsussex #thingstodoinpetworth
BIRDS Mr and Mrs Robin are still frequent visitors BIRDS
Mr and Mrs Robin are still frequent visitors to our garden and the children have noticed the increasing level of birdsong in the garden. We have set up some items and books for children to explore, including a real nest.
A festive photo-dump of the end of last term....yo A festive photo-dump of the end of last term....you know how busy it gets 😉. Better late than never!

#hyggeintheearlyears #winter #winterclassroom #christmasclassroom #openendedtoys #woodentoys #naturalresources #shelfie #earlyyearseducation #indoorlearningenvironment #indoorprovision #earlyyearsideas #petworthchildcare #petworthnursery #midhurstnursery #midhurstchildcare #reggioinspired
"Process over product" A simple invitation to expl "Process over product"
A simple invitation to explore metallic paint and collage materials has resulted in a beautiful festive garland in the classroom where every child is represented. 

#christmasclassroom #christmas #festiveseason #stars #christmasdecorations #childrenascapable #invitationtoexplore #collage #processart #processoverproduct #christmasbunting #childrensownership #childvoice #Midhurst #Petworth #graffhamandduncton #graffhamvillage #graffhamanddunctonschools #preschool #earlyyearseducation #eyteacher
Our local church has introduced an informal group Our local church has introduced an informal group session for parents and young children of the village to come and meet other parents for play stories and some rhymes. It takes place at All Saints Chapel, opposite Graffham Stores. Great for.babies and 'on the movers'  as well as under 5s.

Reverend Vivien came to visit the nursery children this week in the nursery garden, they showed her what they were playing and then we all sang the Wheels on the Bus and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
Embracing the Autumnal Winds on a Friday afternoon Embracing the Autumnal Winds on a Friday afternoon. 

#physicaldevelopment #autumnterm #autumnleaves #outdoorclassroom #outdoorlearningenvironment #loosepartsplay #novembersun #friyay  #Midhurst #Petworth #graffhamandduncton #hyggeoutdoors #hyggeintheearlyears
A couple of our pre-school children this week we'r A couple of our pre-school children this week we're concerned about a fire which had been lit by our neighbours this week. They were burning green wood and leaves creating a lot of smoke. 
"But burning trees is bad for the environment." Miss 3 said.
I wondered what we could do about it to let the working party know.
"Write them a letter" Miss 4 replied. 
They helped themselves to the materials they needed and 'wrote' a letter to express their concerns, using 'X' to symbolise 'no'.
"Mine says, no fire,.no fire. It's bad for the environment"

🔥Fortunately the wind was blowing the smoke away and we as staff took safety precautions and monitored the situation carefully, coming inside and closing the windows when the wind changed.

#firesafety #learningcollaboration #earlyyearseducation #youngeconomists #youngenvironmentalists #globalcitizen #understandingtheworld #carefortheplanet #markmaking #meaningfulexperiences #childrenascapable #childrensexperiences #childled #learningthroughplay #continuousprovision #ruralpreschool #graffhamanddunctonschools #hyggeoutdoors #preschool #earlyliteracy #education
A little spooky themed investigation and curiosity A little spooky themed investigation and curiosity box and stories to welcome the children back today. 

#graffhamnursery #graffhamanddunctonschools #earlyyearseducation #earlyyearsmatter #childrensexperiences #childrensexplorations #childledplay #childledstorytelling #continuousprovision #indoorlearningenvironment #indoorprovision #earlyyearsclassroom #hyggeintheearlyears #woodentoys #aweandwonder #curiositycube #bookishplay #earlyyearsteacher #returntoplay #relevant #provocationsforlearning #invitationtoexplore #reggioinspired
Tweaking our home/role play corner to reflect the Tweaking our home/role play corner to reflect the season. The children have been having great fun comparing and contrasting the range of pumpkins and squashes available and using our traditional scales to weigh and balance. Warming spices can be smelled in our jars and the loose leaves, acorns and conkers have made for interesting mathematical discussion and problem solving. 

#earlymaths #homecorner #homefromhome #roleplay #shapespaceandmeasure #earlyyearseducation #earlyyearsmaths #indoorlearningenvironment #indoorprovision #seasonallearning #childrensexperiences #childrensinterests #problemsolving #earlycommunication #criticalthinking #reggioemiliaapproach #reggioinspired #continuousprovision #childrenascapable #childcentredlearning #learningthroughplay #childled #hyggeintheearlyears #pumpkins #autumnterm #autumnalplay #Petworth #Midhurst #graffhamandduncton #ruralpreschool
Our new yoga dice have been having a spin and prov Our new yoga dice have been having a spin and proving popular with Miss 3. Looking forward to using these for some mindfulness and reflection time with groups of children after half term. 🧘‍♀️

#mindfulnessforchildren #yogaforchildren #youngyogi #yogadice #healthandselfcare #childrenswellbeing #gettingactive #physicaldevelopment #wefull #corestrength #balanceandcomposure #childrensexperiences #childrensneeds #covidgeneration #selfregulation #selfawareness #earlyyearseducation #earlyyearsmatter #graffhamanddunctonschools #hyggeintheearlyears #hyggeintheearlyyearsautumnconference #continuousprovision #indoorlearningenvironment #childrensindependence #childrenascapable
Independent child-led learning. ✅Balancing ✅Cr Independent child-led learning.
✅Balancing
✅Creating
✅Pattern making
✅Magnetism
✅Cause and effect
✅ Communication
✅Resilience
✅ Self-confidence and accomplishment
BLOCK PLAY!

#blockplay
#loosepartsplay #indoorlearningenvironment #hyggeintheearlyears #earlyyearseducation #earlyyearsideas #earlyyearsmatter #naturaltoys #numiconfun #unitblocks #communityplaythings #pegdolls #childledplay #openendedtoys #childrenascapable #autonomouschild #graffhamnursery #graffhamanddunctonschools
Several of our nursery children would like to be f Several of our nursery children would like to be firefighters when they grow up. So recently we set up a couple of simple provocations to allow them to explore this interest whilst:
 🔥developing their gross motor development - climbing the ladder,
🔥 working on their fine motor skills - using syringes and pipettes, dressing in and out of suits
🔥Communicating - working together to put out the 'fire'
🔥Reading and sharing stories about fire fighters, then making up and acting out our own. 
🔥Painting our own 'fires'
🔥 Learning about the dangers of fire during our #forestschool sessions, and how to keep ourselves, eachother and the environment safe.
🔥Watching the chemical changes which occur as a result of fire during our mini camp fire at circle time.

#fire #firefighters #fireservice #whenigrowup #preschool #earlyyears #earlyroleplay #peopleandcomminities #understandingtheworld #teamwork #childrensinterests #sparkcuriosity #childled #planninginthemoment #childledplay #earlyyearseducation #eycommunication #eyteacher #hollisticlearning #outdoorlearning #outdoorclassroom #autumnterm #firesafety
...Walt Streightiff Food for thought when embraci ...Walt Streightiff

Food for thought when embracing the learning opportunities the natural world offers our children.

#outdoorclassroom #outdoorlearning #outdoorlearningenvironment #outdoornursery #education #educationquotes #hyggeintheearlyyearsautumnconference #hyggeintheearlyears #hyggeoutdoors #outdooreducator #aweandwonder #naturalprovision
Wishing all our followers a happy Saturday this we Wishing all our followers a happy Saturday this weekend....

#weekend #saturdayshoutout #saturday #fairies #faerie #wings #imaginativeplay #sunshine #playinginthegarden #ruralpreschool #wands #frozen #imelsa #earlyfriendships #collaborativeplay #loosepartsplay #blockplay
💜💚 💜💚
🍁🍂🧡Autumn is upon us 🧡🍂🍁 This l 🍁🍂🧡Autumn is upon us 🧡🍂🍁

This little sensory, seasonal tray has been a popular play point for children upon arrival this week.

🍦 Creating 'ice creams' with the @joguines_grapat cups and pine cones and small world scenes with the Autumn Nins

🔍 Looking carefully at the berries and fruits in the @guidecraft_official treasure cubes from @conscious_craft 

🎗️Looking at colour and pattern with our fabric offcuts from @donald_stanley_

🔤 Tracing letter shapes of our 3D @reelwooddesign lower case letters.

📚 Reading about seasons coming and going
👜collecting natural treasures in little baskets and counting them

🍂 Exploring the changing colours of the leaves which have fallen from the trees nearby.

🧩piecing together a beautiful puzzle from @zuriandjane comparing their shapes, colours and species name.

#graffhamnursery #graffhamanddunctonschools #autumnterm #natureshelf #naturaltoys #naturalresources #woodentoys #tinypreciousthings #hyggeoutdoors #hyggeintheearlyears #outdoorclassroom #outdoorlearning #seasonallearning #smallworldplay #openendedtoys #openendedplay #curiosity #curiosityapproach #steinerinspired #continuousprovision #childrensexperiences #understandingtheworld #earlyyearseducation #earlyyearsteacher
📣Attention graduates.... ❓Are you a kind, nu 📣Attention graduates....

❓Are you a kind, nurturing and reflective practitioner who sees children as capable, creative and inquisitive and who is dedicated to delivering a play-based approach to early years education?
.
❓Are you a nature-lover who thrives outside all year and who can see the endless learning opportunities the natural world has to offer.
.
❓Do you enjoy getting REALLY muddy, singing and dancing in the rain, building obstacle courses and telling stories?
.
❓Would you love to work in a small, friendly and homely setting where you are respected, valued and supported?
.
😃 Well we have good news....We Are Recruiting! 
.
🔎See our current Facebook vacancy for a Nursery Practitioner to find out more or email nursery@graffhaminfant.org.uk to get in touch.

😊 We look forward to hearing from you!

#graffham #duncton #graffhamvillage #graffhamandduncton #friendsofgraffhamandduncton #graffhamanddunctonschools #heyshott #chichesterjobs #sussexjobs #westsussexjobs #southdownsjobs #earlyyearsjobs #careersinearlyyears #careersineducation #educationcareers #chichestercollege #graduatejobs #ruralpreschool #preschooljob #termtimejobs #parttimejob #vacancies #lodsworth #Midhurst #Petworth #northchapel #worthing #billingshurst #horsham #rothervalley
⚡ Flashback Friday ⚡ This term marks 2 years f ⚡ Flashback Friday ⚡
This term marks 2 years for me as the manager of Graffham Nursery, my first experience in this role.

I was reminded by my photo gallery of some classroom photos from 2019. I sometimes forget to pause and take stock of how far I have come these 24months and I am proud of how my hygge journey and vision for the nursery have positively impacted the staff, children and their families, and our wider school community.

I am so lucky to have the support of my team and our amazing feeder school who got on board with my vision and have embraced the many changes and enhancements we have made in our efforts to provide the youngest children a happy and healthy start to their education.

 @graffhamanddunctonschools @hyggeintheearlyyears 

#graffhamnursery #graffhamanddunctonschools #hyggeintheearlyears #continuedprofessionaldevelopment #preschoolmanagement #earlyyearseducation #earlyyearsteacher #indoorlearningenvironment #indoorprovision #earlyyearsclassroom #nevertoooldtolearn #lovemyjob #continuousprovision #reggioinspired #steinerinspired #montessoriinspired #curiosityapproach #aweandwonder #homefromhome #nurturingenvironment #playbasedlearning #ruralpreschool #happyteacher #happychildren
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Ofsted Grade Good
Graffham Nursery School Graffham Nursery School
Graffham, Petworth, GU28 0NJ
Monday - Friday: 9:00 am - 15:00 pm
01798 867 324; nursery@graffhaminfant.org.uk
© 2019 All Rights Reserved - graffhamnursery.co.uk
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