Kindergarten 

Supporting children as they take their first steps in learning and independence, both indoors and outdoors, through play, exploration and joyful discovery.

Welcome to Annan Kindergarten (Nursery)

A very warm welcome to our Kindergarten, the nursery for children aged 2–4, based at Annan School in a beautiful woodland setting just outside Uckfield. In Kindergarten, we are dedicated to providing children with a child-centred and nurturing start as they begin their journey of learning, confidence and curiosity, both indoors and outdoors.

Annan kindergarten takes children from 2 to 4 years old. Kindergarten runs from 9.00am to 3.00pm, with full day care available 8.00am-5.00pm. We have nap facilities available for those children who still benefit from an afternoon nap.

Inspired by the principles of Froebel, we believe childhood should be filled with joy, play, beauty, kindness, and curiosity. We prioritise free-flow play and creativity, giving children the time and freedom to explore, imagine, and discover at their own pace. 

Environments

We are really proud of our kindergarten building which opened in September 2021. It is a wonderful purpose designed space with oak flooring, wooden furniture and a calm and beautiful homely atmosphere. There are areas for block play, art and craft/cooking, role play, small world and quiet activity. It has its own kitchen area and a separate space for snack and lunches.  

Our calm and nurturing indoor environments are filled with natural materials and open-ended experiences, encourages curiosity, exploration, and deep engagement in learning.

From these indoor areas children are able to free-flow into an outside garden with areas for climbing and physical play with large loose part materials, water play, a mud kitchen, a sandpit and allotment area and woodwork area with real tools. Through block play, art, storytelling, role play, music, and outdoor play children are recognised as capable, competent, and powerful.

Forest School and on-site Forest Kindergarten

At the heart of our kindergarten is Half Acre, our on-site forest nursery area where children spend part of each day immersed in outdoor play and exploration. Here you might find children climbing trees, building rope ladders, swings and bridges, or working together to construct dens, theatres and shops from loose parts and natural materials. In one area a group may be gathered around the mud kitchen, while nearby others are digging channels, sliding down muddy banks, or hunting for minibeasts beneath logs and in long grass. You might also see children cooking over the fire in the sheltered fire area, carefully preparing food with support, or sitting together in quiet areas sharing stories and conversation. On another day, children may be painting outdoors or tucked into a quiet reading nook or growing, gardening and harvesting. Across Half Acre there is a constant flow between energetic adventure, imaginative play, and calm moments of reflection, nurturing confidence, independence, resilience, creativity, and a deep connection with the natural world.

A short walk out of Half Acre brings the children into Slays Wood, where winding paths, fallen trees and seasonal woodland changes become part of their learning each visit. In spring, children pause beneath drifts of bluebells to paint and observe, while at other times they explore den building, storytelling spaces, nature art using found materials, and moments of quiet. Through the woods, Kindergarten often visit the nearby farm, where they meet lambs and other animals.

Woodwork Area

Our woodwork area forms an important part of our continuous provision and is available for children to access under close supervision. Using real tools such as hand drills, hammers, saws and screwdrivers, alongside real wood and natural materials, children are supported to work carefully, creatively and with purpose. Inspired by Froebelian principles and the work of Pete Moorhouse, we see woodwork as far more than a practical activity. It offers children rich opportunities for problem solving, critical thinking, perseverance and collaboration, while also developing coordination, concentration and fine motor skills. The smell and feel of wood, the sounds of hammering and sawing, and the experience of creating something real with their own hands deeply engages children and nurtures a strong sense of confidence, independence and capability. Woodwork also encourages children to assess risk carefully, develop a ‘can do’ attitude, and become absorbed in sustained, imaginative exploration and learning.

Allotments and Gardening

Gardening and growing are an important part of life in the Kindergarten, with children caring for allotment beds both outside the Kindergarten and within Half Acre, alongside our Tree Nursery area. Children are given regular opportunities to dig, plant, water, harvest and care for living things, developing patience, responsibility and a close connection with the natural world. Through these experiences, children begin to understand seasons, growth and change through real experiences over time, while also developing curiosity, cooperation and a sense of wonder. Children take great pride in caring for flowers, vegetables and young trees, often returning to them daily to observe changes. Produce grown by the children is also used within the Kindergarten for cookery and shared snacks, helping children make connections between growing, preparing and eating food together.

Curriculum and Daily Rhythm

Our curriculum is child-centred, rooted in warm relationships, and guided by respect for each child as an individual with their own interests, strengths and unique way of learning. Our experienced team of teachers and early years practitioners carefully observe, support and extend children’s play and learning through warm, trusting relationships that promote wellbeing, collaboration and a strong sense of belonging. Strong friendships between children are nurtured through shared experiences, time to play, and opportunities to work together in rich and varied ways.

At Annan, children are given time to explore, play, wonder and become deeply engaged in what they are doing. They are encouraged to follow their ideas at their own pace, make connections, and enjoy the process of discovery. This creates a calm, unhurried rhythm to the day, where children settle into focused periods of play, exploration and reflection. The day begins with calm, familiar routines, often including relaxing music and a candle time each morning, helping children to settle and feel ready for the day ahead, creating a sense of calm and quiet magic that carries through the day.

Our Kindergarten offers a rich, carefully designed environment where children experience a wide range of rich experiences each day. Children engage with arts, sensory play, block play, role play and storytelling, all supported through wooden materials and natural resources that create a warm, homely atmosphere and invite open-ended exploration. A wide range of continuous provision is always available for children to return to, extend and develop their ideas, including clay, water play, woodwork, sewing and weaving, outdoor exploration, climbing and physical challenges, and a rich garden environment with loose parts, a mud kitchen, sandpit and allotment. This is enriched by a free-flow indoor–outdoor approach, where children move between environments throughout the day, supporting independence, choice, sustained engagement and collaboration as learning continues seamlessly across both spaces.

In the Kindergarten, we meet all requirements of the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage). Learning is developed through play, exploration and relationships, with wooden materials and natural resources supporting open-ended learning, where each child’s imagination, creativity and sense of magic are set free. Early mark making and early reading are supported through rich opportunities across the environment, including books, storytelling, writing materials and imaginative play.

Additional Curriculum & Specialist Activities and Facilities

Alongside our core curriculum and our responsive approach to children’s emerging interests, we also offer a rich range of planned and ongoing experiences that extend learning and wellbeing, with opportunities woven naturally through the week as well as shaped by children’s ideas as they arise. These experiences include cookery, role play, gardening, storytelling, woodwork, music, movement, dance and yoga, all offering rich experiences that support creativity, expression and holistic development. Children are also involved in school performances, dances music concerts and shows, building confidence, expression and a sense of celebration.

Throughout the week, children also experience a gently structured rhythm of specialist teaching and physical development opportunities, including weekly music sessions with a specialist teacher, PE, gymnastics, bike riding, climbing and balancing activities, all woven naturally into the flow of their learning rather than standing apart from it. Children are also introduced to early science experiences, including exploring natural materials, investigation and the use of real tools such as magnifiers and microscopes. Children in Kindergarten make full use of the wider school environment and are an active part of the wider school community, including the playground, infant garden and school hall, extending their physical, social and creative experiences.

Seasonal experiences, such as apple picking, harvesting and observing the changing natural world, further enrich the curriculum and help children develop a strong sense of time, place and belonging.

Our onsite forest school environment, Half Acre, is an integral part of children’s daily experience, where outdoor learning is embedded into the rhythm of the week. Here, children regularly spend extended time exploring, climbing, building, digging, investigating wildlife, and engaging in rich outdoor play that deepens their connection with nature across all seasons.

Children also enjoy local trips on our minibus, including visits to the library, garden centres and local spaces, as well as opportunities for tree planting at the Children’s Forest and exploring the wider community.

Food and Mealtimes

At Annan, mealtimes are an important part of the day, supporting children’s independence, social skills and sense of care for themselves and others. We promote a healthy eating ethos, encouraging children to enjoy a balanced diet, try a variety of fresh foods, and develop positive attitudes towards mealtimes in a calm and unhurried environment.

Children can bring a packed lunch from home or enjoy a freshly prepared lunch provided on site by our school caterers, a small family-run team who provide healthy, fresh vegetarian meals for all to enjoy. Individual dietary requirements and allergies are fully catered for, with careful attention to each child’s needs to ensure safety, inclusion and confidence at mealtimes.

Breakfast is offered for children joining us from 8am to 9am, providing a calm and welcoming start to the day where children can sit together, talk and ease gently into their day. Throughout the day, a healthy snack of fresh fruit or something prepared by the Kindergarten is available each morning, and in the afternoon for children staying after 3.30pm. Fresh water is available throughout the day, and children are encouraged to drink regularly.

Mealtimes take place in a calm, homely environment where children sit at café-style tables with flowers on the table and use real crockery and cutlery. Children are supported to develop independence by serving themselves where possible, pouring drinks, and clearing away, while also enjoying conversation and shared time with friends and adults. These moments are valued as part of the rhythm of the day, supporting both social development and wellbeing.

Passionate Staff

Our Kindergarten is led by Amanda Lucy who is an experienced early years teacher and a team of experienced, caring and well-qualified early years practitioners.

What our ISI inspection recognised

In our ISI inspection (2023), inspectors highlighted the strength and quality of our Early Years provision:

“In the early years, the proprietors provide resources of high quality which enhance children’s learning.”

“Early years staff plan a rich variety of activities, adapting these according to children’s responses.”

“Outdoor learning is a distinctive feature of the curriculum that enables pupils to develop their curiosity, to ask questions and think deeply using all their senses.”

Read our full report here.

Parents as Partners

At Annan, we believe children thrive when families and educators work closely together. We see parents as an essential part of our Kindergarten community, and we place great importance on building strong, open and trusting relationships with every family, getting to know each child and their home life well so we can support them fully in their learning and wellbeing.

Communication is at the heart of this partnership. We share weekly newsletters with photos and updates so families can see and feel part of their child’s experiences and the life of the Kindergarten. We also use our parent communication app, Classlist, alongside regular whole-school newsletters to keep families informed, connected and involved in the wider Annan community.

Parents are welcomed into the Kindergarten throughout the year for a range of special events and shared experiences, including forest school celebrations, strawberry tea and maypole dancing, and our winter festival. These moments bring families together as part of a warm, connected community of like-minded families who share our values of childhood, nature, and play. The Kindergarten also takes part in wider school events such as the eco fair and lantern festival, bringing families and children together as part of the Annan community.

Daily communication is also an important part of our practice. Parents are able to speak with their child’s teachers at the end of each day, ensuring that even the small moments of learning and wellbeing are shared.

Each child also has a personal learning journey, created by their teachers, which includes photographs, observations, milestones and examples of their learning and play. These are shared regularly with families to celebrate progress, reflect on development, and support conversations at home.

We value consistency, trust and connection, and work closely with families to ensure children feel supported between home and Kindergarten. This strong partnership helps children feel secure, confident and fully held within a shared approach to their learning and development.

Settling In and Admissions

Our admissions process is personal and led by each child’s individual needs and experiences. Families are warmly invited to visit us at an open day or arrange an individual tour to see the Kindergarten and meet the team.

Once a place has been applied for and offered, we begin our settling-in process, known as Kinderplay. These are gentle stay and play sessions, in the terms leading up to a child starting, where children attend with a parent or carer, helping them become familiar with the environment, daily rhythms and key people in a calm and supported way.

Before children start independently, we arrange a home visit with our Kindergarten teacher, Amanda. This gives us the opportunity to get to know each child in their own familiar surroundings and begin building trusting relationships with both children and families.

Following this, children are invited to one or two further ‘stay and play’ sessions with a parent before they begin attending on their own. This gradual approach means children are never rushed into separation and have time to build confidence, familiarity and secure relationships with the team at their own pace.

We also encourage families to create an “All About Me” treasure box with their child, including photographs, small keepsakes and items from home. This helps children feel connected and supported as they begin their journey with us, strengthening the link between home and Kindergarten and supporting a strong sense of belonging from the very start.