Welcome to The Nursery at Queen Mary's School
Exceptional Early Years Care and Learning for Ages 0–4
Remarkable beginnings from birth
The Nursery at Queen Mary’s offers exceptional early years provision for children aged 0–3, alongside our established Pre-Reception and Reception classes for ages 3 and 4.
Together, they form a nurturing Early Years community, thoughtfully designed to meet each stage of development.
Private School Nursery Near Thirsk and Ripon Opened September 2026
Our new Nursery provides a calm, caring and inspiring environment for our youngest children, set within the Queen Mary’s School community. Nursery children are based in their own dedicated building, with access to a secure woodland and meadow setting, designed to support exploration, wellbeing and early development. Our Pre-Reception and Reception pupils are based in the adjacent Early Years building, working closely together in a teacher-led environment that supports confident transitions into school life.
What Makes Our Nursery School Special?
Private Nursery within a high-achieving School
One School. Purposeful spaces.
The Nursery (0–3) and Pre-Reception/Reception (3–4) are housed in dedicated, separate, age-appropriate buildings. They are very much part of our school with:
- – Specialist early years staff
- – Close collaboration between Nursery and Pre-Reception teams
- – Smooth, supported transitions as children grow
- – Shared values, care and educational philosophy
This ensures children benefit from both security and continuity, while learning in environments designed specifically for their age and stage.
Preschool for Early Learning Excellence
Child-centric learning for 0-4 years
As a trusted local private school ranked 4th nationally by The Times Parent Power Guide 2026, (Independent Schools Without a Sixth Form), our day nursery near Ripon, Thirsk, and Boroughbridge, offers an exceptional start to early learning. Children are supported to ask questions, investigate and reflect, building strong foundations in early literacy, numeracy, communication and social-emotional development from the very beginning -within a nurturing, child-centred environment.
A School with a Nursery Where Children Thrive Through Play
Top quality daycare to give every child a strong start
Children at Queen Mary’s Nursery are nurtured in a ‘home-from-home’, warm, inclusive community where they are seen, heard, and valued, making us a popular choice for those seeking some of the best educational daycare in the local area. Learning happens through our early years curriculum purposeful play in our child-led nursery school setting with children developing empathy, collaboration, and independence – the key foundations for confidence and resilience – through self-directed activities.
Our private nursery offers a supportive start to education rooted in care, curiosity, and community. It welcomes families from the local area including Sowerby, Dalton, Sessay, Cundall, Helperby, Boroughbridge, Kirby Hill, Brafferton, and Langthorpe.
A Unique Early Years Experience in North Yorkshire
Designed with young children at its heart, The Nursery at Queen Mary’s offers a nurturing and inspiring start for little ones. All children will enjoy access to beautiful woodland and meadow spaces, creating opportunities for outdoor learning, creativity and calm — every day. As a nursery in North Yorkshire, close to Thirsk, Ripon, Masham, and Boroughbridge, we provide high-quality early years childcare, education and development in an exceptional setting. Here, children are given the very best start – learning, growing, and thriving in an environment where they feel safe, inspired, and excited to discover the world around them.
Why Choose Queen Mary's Day Nursery?
A Foundation for Lifelong Learning
Our Early Years Philosophy
Our nursery curriculum is rooted in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and brought to life through purposeful, hands-on learning. Children are encouraged to explore, ask questions and make sense of the world through meaningful, developmentally appropriate experiences.
Our early years children learn through play to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning. We create endless opportunities to practice problem-solving, gross and fine motor skills, communication and language, and creative expression. Our expert nursery practitioners enable nursery and preschool children to build personal, social and emotional skills and a better understanding of the world through fun, child-led activities that nurture the whole child.
Our child-led private school nursery is designed around the belief that children are competent, capable learners. Our calming, nature-inspired environment acts like a ‘third teacher’, enticing children to learn through exploration and discovery within its aesthetically-pleasing, organised spaces.
Outdoor Learning Every Day
A kindergarten environment built around the great outdoors with plenty of nature-loving forest school sessions
Learning in the outdoors is part of everyday life at The Nursery at Queen Mary’s. Our children are encouraged to explore and discover our beautiful woodland and meadow spaces, using the natural world as an extension of the classroom. Through regular Forest School sessions, pupils learn through hands-on experiences that spark curiosity, creativity and a love of learning, while enjoying the freedom and space to explore safely.
Outdoor learning is a cornerstone of our curriculum, supporting children to develop confidence, resilience and strong problem-solving skills. Our thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces include woodland, sand and water play areas, open-ended free play zones, and a gardening and allotment area where children grow their own fruit and vegetables.
Learning outdoors encourages collaboration and communication as children work together, while active play strengthens physical development, coordination and balance. Time spent in nature also nurtures environmental awareness and a genuine appreciation for the world around them. Within a safe and supportive setting, children are encouraged to take calculated risks, building independence, resilience and essential life skills that support them well beyond the early years.
Teacher-Led Nursery Sessions for The Best Possible Start
Combining teachers and high level nursery practitioners at our Thirsk nursery school
Our teacher-led nursery sessions give children the very best possible start to their learning journey. Led by qualified teachers and supported by experienced early years practitioners, sessions are carefully planned to nurture curiosity, confidence and early development in a calm, caring environment. This blend of expert teaching and play-based learning helps children build strong foundations while feeling happy, secure and valued.
From the very beginning, learning is purposeful, age-appropriate and tailored to each child. Through engaging activities indoors and outdoors, children develop communication skills, early literacy and numeracy, independence and a love of learning, preparing them naturally and confidently for the transition into Pre-Prep and beyond at Queen Mary’s.
School Nursery Nutrition
Providing healthy school meals for well-rounded, thriving children
All meals at Queen Mary’s are home-cooked on site using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, providing children with nutritious, balanced food every day. Our catering team specialises in freshly prepared meals and can accommodate a wide range of dietary requirements and allergies.
Our Head Chef, Gary Forster, brings a wealth of experience, having worked alongside Marco Pierre White and at the Michelin-starred Seaham Hall. His passion for high-quality, child-friendly food helps children develop a positive relationship with food from an early age.
Shared mealtimes play an important role in nursery life, supporting independence, confidence and social development. Children aged 0–2 eat within The Nursery, while Pre-reception and Reception children dine in our school dining room, at an age-appropriate service time.
Value for Money
Providing excellent daycare at affordable childcare costs
Our private nursery provision supplies all nursery and preschool activity and learning materials, with parents receiving regular updates throughout the day, so you can share in your child’s EYFS experiences and progress. In addition, we keep childcare costs affordable and competitive with a nutritious lunch, tea, snacks and water provided within the fees.
Learning is teacher-led and children are cared for by a highly qualified, experienced team. Our high staff-to-child ratios ensure that every child receives individual attention and can make the most out of the rich programme of indoor and outdoor learning provided. Each child is supported by a dedicated Key Person who knows them well, helping them to feel secure, confident and valued as they learn and grow at Queen Mary’s.
Our nursery accepts childcare government schemes including funded childcare hours from the Free Childcare for Working Parents initiative, payments from tax-free childcare accounts, and workplace childcare vouchers. Get in touch for specific information.
Day Nursery Sessions for Busy Families
Offering the best childcare possible for children and parents, tailored to fit around modern families
We understand the rhythms of modern family life, and our childcare is designed to offer flexibility alongside consistency and care. Families can choose the pattern that works best for them, while ensuring children feel settled, secure and supported within a familiar routine. Our youngest children are cared for from birth to three years, with a seamless transition into the preschool nurser class of Pre-Prep when they are ready.
Every child benefits from a flexible, child-centred settling-in process, including welcome visits and a gradual integration into nursery life, helping them build confidence and feel at home at Queen Mary’s from the very beginning.
Day sessions are available Mondays to Fridays, 8.00 am – 5.30 pm for 50 weeks of the year or during Queen Mary’s term time (34 weeks).
Frequently Asked Questions
Want to know more? Browse our FAQs
What age can my child start?
Children can join The Nursery at Queen Mary’s from 3 months to 4 years, enjoying a play-based, supportive environment designed to develop confidence, curiosity, and wellbeing.
Do you have a waiting list?
Yes, early registration is recommended. Our Nursery Team will guide you through the process to secure a place.
What does a typical day look like?
A typical nursery day balances free play, outdoor exploration, creative activities, stories, music, meals, and rest. Children learn through hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and build social, emotional, and cognitive skills.
Do children need to bring anything?
Parents need to supply their own nappies, wipes, milk, drinks bottle, comforters, and sun cream, as well as spare clothes and outdoor clothing. A list of all items and essentials to support a smooth start is detailed in the Parent Welcome Pack.
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A Natural-Inspired Learning Space
Nursery Environment -
A beautiful, secure, rural setting to explore
Nursery Wellbeing -
A calm, nurturing environment in which to learn
Nursery Learning