Why the early years matter 

Pupils joining Blackheath High Nursery at three years old are taking their first thrilling steps on their educational adventure – and we take the responsibility for laying the foundations of their lifelong love of learning during this time incredibly seriously.  

This is a time marked by extraordinary growth, discovery, and development; when the essential foundations for every aspect of their future are laid, shaping their capacity to learn, build relationships, and navigate the world with confidence, curiosity, and resilience. There is a wealth of expert evidence highlighting the importance of education in these early years. OFSTED notes that “a high-quality early years education... affects not only future educational attainment but also future health and happiness,” while the Centre for Early Childhood reminds us that “our relationships, surroundings and experiences during our first five years shape the adults we become.”  

These findings align with our philosophy that the early years are not just preparation for school. They are preparation for life. 

Laying the foundations for life 

During the first five years of life, a child’s brain develops at a faster rate than at any other time in life. Neural pathways form through every experience and interaction, shaping how children think, feel, understand and respond to the world around them. We foster this development through expertly designed learning environments - indoors, outdoors, and in our dedicated Forest School - so that every moment provides opportunities for growth, discovery, and joyful exploration. 

Learning is key at this stage in life. Our varied, exciting Early Years curriculum has been designed to build key skills in communication, creativity, problem-solving, and physical coordination, nurturing independence and confidence and sparking a love of learning. And importantly, it is also a lot of fun! 

Positive relationships are also crucial in this period – the bonds children form with their friends and teachers shape their ability to navigate the world, express their emotions and develop resilience. Our focus, a thread which weaves all the way up to Sixth Form, is on treating each girl as an individual, giving her all the personalised support and tailored teaching she needs to flourish. 

Our Nursery is carefully designed to support each girl’s development across all areas - academic, social, emotional, and personal. Working in close partnership with our families, we lay the strong foundations that help every child thrive now and as they grow. 

Written by Miss Riordan, Head of Early Years