Kindred Shortlands Nursery and Pre-School

At Kindred Shortlands, we are committed to creating a welcoming nursery community where every child feels known, valued and part of something bigger. Our team works closely together across the whole nursery, allowing children to build relationships with familiar adults throughout their journey rather than only within their own room. This helps children feel secure as they grow, making transitions between age groups feel natural and reassuring.

We are proud to have a diverse team that includes both male and female practitioners from a range of backgrounds and stages of life, reflecting the community we serve and providing children with a variety of positive role models.

A special part of our nursery community is our chef, who has been preparing meals for children at Shortlands for over 20 years. She is a familiar face around the nursery and takes the time to get to know the children, sitting with them at mealtimes, supporting positive eating habits and encouraging them to try new foods. Like every member of our team, she plays an important role in helping children feel comfortable, confident and cared for.

Above all, we want every child and family to feel welcomed, supported and part of the Kindred Shortlands family from their very first day.

We believe children achieve the best outcomes when nursery and home work together, so we take the time to really get to know each child and their family. Through open communication, regular conversations and daily handovers, we build trusted relationships that allow us to support each child's individual needs, interests and development.

Families are encouraged to play an active role in nursery life and join us for a variety of events and celebrations throughout the year. From Culture Day and Science Week to graduation, garden parties and seasonal celebrations, these opportunities help children feel proud to share their learning with the people who matter most to them.

What makes our nursery community particularly special is the enthusiasm and involvement of our families. Many enjoy sharing their own experiences, interests and traditions with the children. During Culture Day, families often share recipes, customs and traditions that are important to them, while some even volunteer their time to lead activities and experiences for the children, including drama sessions. These contributions help create a genuine sense of community and belonging throughout the nursery.

Alongside regular updates about children's progress and learning, our team is always available to offer support, guidance and reassurance whenever it is needed. Our aim is for every family to feel welcomed, valued and genuinely part of the Kindred Shortlands community.

Outdoor learning is an important part of everyday life at Kindred Shortlands. We aim to get children outdoors as much as possible throughout the day, with babies, toddlers and preschool children typically enjoying outdoor play at least twice a day.

Our large main garden is at the heart of our outdoor provision and gives children plenty of space to explore, play and learn. Featuring a woodland area, vegetable patch and outdoor classroom, it provides endless opportunities for children to connect with nature, develop confidence and enjoy learning through play in a stimulating outdoor environment.

Alongside the main garden, babies have access to their own rooftop terrace where they can safely explore the outdoors, while toddlers benefit from a dedicated outdoor area with sand, water and sensory play available throughout the day. 

Whether children are planting vegetables, investigating nature, building friendships or simply enjoying fresh air and space to move, our outdoor environments encourage curiosity, resilience and a lifelong love of learning.

We believe children benefit from being actively connected to the community around them. Throughout the year, children enjoy visits to the local library, short walks within the local area and opportunities to take part in seasonal events and celebrations. We also visit the local church for occasions such as harvest celebrations and Christmas events, helping children learn more about the world around them and their place within it.

Older children may also take part in small-group outings, such as visiting local shops to purchase ingredients for cooking activities or posting letters they have written. These experiences help children build confidence, independence and real-world understanding in a safe and familiar way.

We understand that starting nursery is a significant milestone for both children and families, which is why we take a flexible and personalised approach to settling in.

The first settling-in session takes place with a family member present, allowing children to explore their new environment while helping us learn more about their routines, interests and individual needs. This also gives families the opportunity to spend time with the team and ask any questions they may have. This is usually followed by a one-hour to three-hour independent session before children begin attending their regular booking pattern.

To help make this transition as smooth as possible, we often recommend a shorter nursery day initially, typically from 09:30 to 15:30. This allows children to experience the main part of the nursery day, including activities, mealtimes and time with their friends, while avoiding the busier periods at drop-off and collection times.

Every child and family is different, so we keep our settling-in process flexible and will always work with families to adapt sessions where needed.