NEW: The Nursery at Queen Mary’s
Remarkable Beginnings That Make All the Difference
Queen Mary’s is delighted to announce the opening of a new Early Years setting, The Nursery, launching in September 2026. This exciting development marks an important new chapter for the school and reflects a commitment to providing exceptional education and care from the very earliest years.
Designed for girls and boys from 0–4 years, The Nursery offers families the opportunity to begin their Queen Mary’s journey from the very start, within a nurturing, inspiring and developmentally rich environment.
The earliest years of a child’s life are extraordinary. They are a time of rapid growth, curiosity and discovery — a period when around 90% of the brain develops (UNICEF, 2020) and when the foundations for future learning, confidence and wellbeing are laid. High-quality early years education is widely recognised as one of the strongest predictors of later attainment and long-term success (Best Start in Life, Ofsted 2022/24).
The Nursery at Queen Mary’s has been thoughtfully designed around these vital early years, ensuring every child benefits from a secure, stimulating and joyful start.
What Makes The Nursery at Queen Mary’s Special
The Nursery’s approach is grounded in how young children learn best: through hands-on exploration, warm and caring relationships, imaginative play and meaningful connection. Children thrive when they feel known, understood and valued — and this philosophy sits at the heart of daily life in the Nursery.
Experienced practitioners ignite curiosity by encouraging children to ask questions, explore ideas and make discoveries at their own pace. Whether children are creating stories through role-play, building and experimenting, engaging at the sensory table or exploring woodland and meadow spaces, learning happens naturally through doing.
These rich, purposeful experiences support early literacy and numeracy, expand vocabulary, strengthen fine and gross motor skills, and nurture independence, resilience and problem-solving.
Nature-Rich, Developmentally Inspired
Set within the beautiful grounds of Baldersby Park, home to Queen Mary’s School, The Nursery offers a unique blend of heritage, nature and education.
Carefully designed indoor and outdoor environments inspire curiosity and calm, with daily access to:
- Secure meadows and woodlands for exploration and Forest School experiences
- Outdoor climbing, sensory and imaginative play zones
- Light-filled indoor classrooms featuring natural materials, cosy reading corners and dedicated sensory spaces
- Sliding doors that connect indoors and outdoors, allowing fluid, child-led exploration throughout the day
As part of the wider Queen Mary’s community, nursery children also enjoy gentle exposure to broader school life, including pony visits and creative movement spaces.
A Strong Sense of Community
Community lies at the heart of life at Queen Mary’s. From their very first days in the Nursery’s 0–2 years, 2–3 years and Pre-Reception/Reception rooms, children begin to learn what it means to belong – to listen, care, help and play alongside others.
These early experiences nurture empathy, confidence and emotional awareness, while encouraging curiosity, independence and a love of discovering the world around them. Together, they ensure children feel happy, secure and ready for the next stage of their learning journey when the time comes to move into Reception.
Register your interest in The Nursery
We are now welcoming registrations of interest for The Nursery. Please contact our Admissions Manager for further details or register your interest here.
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