Nurture at Earlham Nursery School

We are delighted to announce we have been successful in our Nurture Award Application! This is testament to the dedication, skill and commitment of our entire staff team. We are very proud of our school and all our staff, pupils and families who make our school so welcoming, unique and inclusive!

Here is what our assessor had to say:

It was a privilege to spend the morning with the team at Earlham Nursery School. This time together offered a powerful window into the heart of the school's nurturing practice. The visit was not only rich in evidence, but also rich in feeling: I was able to witness first hand the passion, consistency, and intentionality with which nurture principles are brought to life across the school. As one teacher expressed, "nurture is what we do"—a sentiment that was apparent in every conversation and child-centred interaction I observed.

The headteacher, Carole Jacques, reflected, "we are the safe place," a phrase that encapsulates the culture so clearly evident in every aspect of the school. This sense of safety is not passive—it is actively created through relationships, consistency, and the prioritisation of wellbeing. It is this foundation of safety that enables parents and carers to feel comfortable asking for help and children to speak confidently about their feelings, as I witnessed during a beautiful circle time session.

The school never begins with the question "What do we need the child to do?" but rather, "What do we need to do for the child?" This mindset informs every layer of practice.

The Six Principles of Nurture are not simply present at Earlham Nursery School—they form the very foundation of the school's ethos and practice. Every stakeholder, from governors to volunteers, embodies and articulates these principles in language and action that are age-appropriate, values-led, and embedded in daily interactions.

The deliberate rewording of the principles to make them accessible to young children is a striking example of the school’s inclusive, reflective culture. Staff consistently model relational behaviours, and parents and carers frequently describe Earlham Nursery School as a place where they feel “safe,” “held,” and “listened to.” It is also significant that many families remain connected long after their children have left, returning to share news, ask for advice, or simply reconnect with staff they trust.

The physical environment is calm, welcoming, and thoughtfully curated. Quiet areas, access to outdoor space, and familiar routines help children feel grounded and secure. Children know where to go for comfort and who to seek out for support. Every adult I spoke with used the word safe to describe the school—highlighting that it is not only the classroom but every element of school life that is centred on predictability and safety. This shared sense of security is a vital part of what makes the environment so responsive.

Children's voice is central to curriculum planning. From choosing colours for classroom decoration to selecting recipes for cooking, children are invited to make choices and express preferences. One class recently voted to expand their mud kitchen, while others submitted funding requests to the Headteacher—a powerful example of agency and empowerment.

Earlham Nursery School is a model of what it means to embed nurture as a whole-school approach. Through sensitive leadership, deep-rooted partnerships, and an unrelenting commitment to equity and care, the school has created a space where children, families, and staff can flourish.

We have completed a 2-year long National Nurturing Schools Programme to further develop our practice, to better support the mental wellbeing of our children, and to support them in their social and emotional development.

As part of this work staff have reflected on how we share the 6 Principles with the children, parents and wider community. 

We have considered the wording of the 6 principles, what they mean to us here at Earlham Nursery School and reworded the statements to make them accessible for all of our children. 

Butterfly Room

To build on the work of all staff across school and to support children who have been identified to require additional support with developing their confidence, resilience, self regulation and emotion well being, we have established a nurturing room at the nursery. We have used the 6 Principles to underpin the organisation and approach of this additional space. This provision is led by Mary, our Parent Support Advisor. Children may access this space, daily, weekly or as required. They may work with Mary 1-1 or in a small group. Each session is planned to meet the individual needs of each child.