Wise Owls

Welcome to Wise Owls

Our Pre-School Nursery at Little Owls Toftwood

‘Wise Owls’ is the very last stage at nursery before our children transition to school. Wise Owls is led by Charlotte Bane-Young, one of our most experienced and highly qualified practitioners who has worked at Little Owls for over 15 years. Charlotte is supported by a team of practitioners all of whom are qualified to Level 3 and have a broad range of experience in early years care and education.

We offer 32 places in ‘Wise Owls’ from 7:30 – 6:00pm. Our children have access to two separate spaces for play and learning, their own separate security coded entrance which provides a transitional space for parent handovers and for our team to share information about your child’s day at nursery.

What’s New?

This July (2025) we have completed internal work to offer our pre-schoolers a bigger space and a broader range of provision to engage with. Within this space we offer separate toilets and bathrooms for girls and boys. Our ‘Wise Owls’ have pegs to hang their belongings on as well as direct free flow access to the outdoor classroom under the canopy and the large garden and sandpit area.

Equipment, resources and routines have been adapted with a focus on supporting children to pursue their interests and talents, develop their sense of self, become strong and articulate communicators, to take care of ourselves and show kindness and empathy to others and our natural world and foster their independence. This in turn supports our children to have the skills and abilities to confidently transition to school at the end of the academic year.

Children playing with colorful funnels on a chain-link fence. They appear engaged and happy, wearing casual clothes, outside on a sunny day.

A young boy pours water from a blue cup into a colorful outdoor water play structure, concentrating intently. Another child is in the background playing.

A young man interacts with children in a garden, gesturing and talking animatedly. A child in a red cap and another in a sunhat are engaged nearby.

A person gestures while talking to children in a garden. One child wears a red cap, another a sun hat. The scene is lively and educational.

Our Early Years Education

At Little Owls we learn through play. We believe the most important factors in the early years is giving the children the opportunities and experiences that help them develop their sense of self and pride in their unique and individual skills and abilities.

80% of the children’s day is interest driven play which is enhanced and scaffolded by our team of experienced nursery practitioners. Our continuous provision means there is always an abundance of literacy, imaginative play, opportunities to recreate roles and experiences, opened ended creative play, malleable and messy play, engagement with our natural world and opportunities to construct and create.

20% of the children’s day is ‘Adult Led’ this term refers to activities and experiences that the adults plan and deliver specifically based on children’s stage of development. In planning for this our team triangulate the principles of meaningful learning by considering – what the children already know, what their interests are – and what’s going on in the world around them. Meaningful learning experiences are then planned and delivered to support your children’s continued progress across the Early Years Foundation Stage & Birth to Five Matters.

In September we are introducing the ‘Supersonic Phonics’ programme. This emphasizes the relationship between letters and sounds by incorporating a variety of activities songs and games which make the learning fun and interactive for our children. These experiences give the children a solid understanding and foundation to build upon as they transition to school.

A Celebration of ‘Self’

During your child’s last half term in Wise Owls (June– July) we deliver our highly successful ‘6 weeks to school’ programme. This encompasses a variety of fun activities to practise the key skills they will need when they attend school in September. Alongside this is a reflective process whereby we work with your child to help them recognise their strengths, abilities and achievements throughout their time at nursery by reflecting on the photos and videos in their digital learning journey.

A Graduation to Remember

The final stage of your child’s journey as a ‘Wise Owl’ sees them spread their wings and celebrate with their friends and family members at our graduation celebration. A summer fete style event including refreshments and a children’s entertainer marks the completion of their time at nursery and leave with wonderful memories and keepsakes for your family of your time at Little Owls.

Welcome to Wise Owls we hope that your child and family will be very happy during your time with us. If you need any help, advice or assistance please contact our management team.