Hawthorn House Day Nursery

Every child's journey to school is unique, and we're proud to support each step along the way.

At Hawthorn House, we work closely with families during this important milestone, including completing our Transition to School Booklets, creating a shared picture of each child's strengths, interests, achievements and personality before they begin their next exciting chapter.

By working in partnership with parents, we can ensure that the information shared with schools reflects the whole child, not just what we see at nursery, but the wonderful qualities that shine through at home too. 🌟

Our transition booklets help children prepare for school by:

✨ Building confidence about their next adventure

✨ Celebrating their achievements and progress

✨ Supporting a smooth and positive transition

✨ Helping teachers understand each child's interests, strengths and individual needs

✨ Encouraging children to reflect on their learning journey

✨ Strengthening the partnership between nursery, home and school

Starting school is a significant milestone, and when families and educators work together, children feel more secure, confident and ready to embrace new experiences.

Because school readiness isn't about rushing childhood, it's about helping children feel capable, confident and excited for what comes next. 💚

We are so proud of every child as they prepare for this important next step in their learning journey.✨

Where curiosity grows and confidence follows. 🌎🐠

At Hawthorn House, the children have been exploring the fascinating world of ocean animals before using our interactive globe to discover where these incredible creatures live around the world!

What may have looked like a simple matching activity was actually supporting so many important areas of development. As the children searched for different countries and oceans, they were building their understanding of the world, developing early geographical awareness, and learning that animals live in different habitats across our planet. 🐳

The activity also encouraged language development as children discussed what they knew about each animal, asked questions, shared ideas and introduced new vocabulary. Alongside this, they practised problem-solving skills, concentration and critical thinking as they worked out where each ocean animal might be found.

Most importantly, the children's natural curiosity was at the heart of the experience. By following their interests and encouraging them to explore, question and discover, we help them develop a lifelong love of learning.

✨ It may look like play, but powerful learning is happening as children make connections between the world around them and the exciting discoveries they make every day.

Happiness is at the heart of Hawthorn House 💛

One of our core nursery values is creating a place where children feel happy, safe and valued every day.

Because when children are happy, they feel confident to explore, build friendships, try new experiences and develop a lifelong love of learning.

That happiness extends beyond the children too.

🌿 It creates a positive environment for our team.

🤝 It builds strong partnerships with families.

✨ And it helps every child feel a true sense of belonging.

At Hawthorn House, happiness isn't simply something we hope for it's something we actively nurture through caring relationships, meaningful experiences and a warm, welcoming environment.

Because happy children don't just learn... they thrive. 🌟

Choosing a nursery is one of the biggest decisions a family will make. 💛

At Hawthorn House, we believe children thrive when they are truly known, understood and supported.

Our small group sizes allow us to build strong relationships with every child, ensuring they receive the individual attention, encouragement and care they need to flourish. Combined with our highly qualified and passionate team, this creates an environment where children feel safe, confident and ready to learn.

Every day is filled with opportunities to explore, discover and learn through play, carefully planned to nurture curiosity, independence and a lifelong love of learning.

More than a nursery, Hawthorn House is a place where children are given the very best start, surrounded by caring professionals who are dedicated to helping them grow into confident, capable and happy learners. 🌿

The environment is often called the third teacher and for good reason. 🌿

At Hawthorn House, every space is carefully designed to encourage curiosity, independence and meaningful learning.

Our thoughtfully planned environments provide children with the freedom to make choices, revisit experiences and follow their own interests, helping learning unfold naturally and confidently.

In calm, inviting spaces, children feel comfortable taking risks, sharing ideas and exploring new possibilities.

They know they belong.

They feel confident in their abilities.

They are empowered to lead their own learning.

By creating environments that are rich in opportunity and responsive to children's needs, we support the development of communication, confidence and a genuine love of learning.

✨ When children feel inspired by their surroundings, remarkable things happen.

🖍️🐛 Learning Through Play 🐛🖍️

This week, the children have been recognising and matching numbers 1–3 using our chalk caterpillar in the garden as part of their current topic!

What looks like simple outdoor fun is actually helping to build early mathematical understanding in a meaningful, hands-on way ✨

Through playful experiences like this, children are developing:

🔢 number recognition

🧠 problem-solving skills

💬 mathematical language

🌿 confidence through independent thinking

Learning maths in playful, active ways helps children stay curious, engaged and excited to learn.

Tiny moments like these are where confidence grows, one number at a time 💛

Tiny seeds. Big learning 🌱✨

At Hawthorn House, our outdoor planting projects have become such a special part of nursery life, giving the children the opportunity to care for and grow their own little parts of the environment around them.

As part of our ongoing ECO Schools focus on School Grounds and Biodiversity, the children have been busy planting, watering and learning about what living things need to grow and thrive.

These hands-on experiences help children develop patience, responsibility and curiosity while encouraging them to connect with nature in meaningful ways. From carefully filling pots with soil to noticing the first signs of growth, every moment becomes an opportunity for discovery, conversation and pride.

We love watching the children become so engaged and invested in the outdoor spaces they are helping to create 💚

There is something incredibly powerful about giving children the chance to nurture living things and see the results of their care over time.🌿

🌿 Nature is full of patterns, possibilities and learning 🌿

Our Bees children have been exploring pattern making using natural resources from our garden, carefully creating beautiful shell swirls through play and curiosity ✨

Activities like these support early mathematical thinking, concentration and creativity while encouraging children to slow down, observe and make connections with the world around them.

It may seem simple, but moments like this are helping children build confidence in their own ideas and discoveries 💛

✨ Curious Little Minds

The Bees children at Hawthorn House have been taking a closer look at nature by exploring snails and learning all about their tiny world 🌿

Through observing them carefully, the children discovered what snails like to eat, how they move, and the unique details that make them so interesting. These close-up nature experiences encourage children to slow down, notice the world around them and ask meaningful questions as their curiosity grows.

Exploring nature in this way supports early scientific thinking, language development and communication skills as children describe what they see, share ideas and learn new vocabulary. It also helps build patience, care and respect for living things. 💛

It may seem like a simple discovery activity, but moments like these help children become confident explorers, thoughtful learners and curious little minds.✨

Because even the smallest hearts can hold the biggest emotions 💛

During Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re taking a moment to recognise just how vital emotional wellbeing is for children, their families, and the dedicated teams who support them every day.

In the early years, good mental health starts with feeling secure, comforted and truly connected. It lives in the friendly greeting at the door, the reassuring hugs after tough moments, the first friendships formed through play, and the trusted adults who guide children as they learn to name and manage their feelings.

These early moments shape far more than many people realise.

At Hawthorn House, we see wellbeing not as something “additional,” but as the very heart of everything we do, the groundwork for confidence, resilience, healthy relationships and a love of learning.

We also recognise that children thrive best when the adults around them are supported too. Looking after staff wellbeing and nurturing strong partnerships with families helps us build a calm, caring environment where children can flourish 🌿

This week offers a gentle pause to check in with ourselves and one another, to slow the pace where possible, and to keep creating spaces where everyone feels valued, heard and supported.

Because when children feel emotionally secure, they’re free to grow, discover, and step into all they are capable of becoming ✨