Kent


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/Hilden-Grange-Nursery-story-time-1000x667.jpg" alt="Hilden Grange Nursery story time reading to children on sofa" class="wp-image-87723" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/Hilden-Grange-Nursery-story-time-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/Hilden-Grange-Nursery-story-time-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/Hilden-Grange-Nursery-story-time-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/Hilden-Grange-Nursery-story-time-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/Hilden-Grange-Nursery-story-time-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/Hilden-Grange-Nursery-story-time.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a href="http://www.hildengrange.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hilden Grange</a>&nbsp;is a friendly, co-educational prep school, on the northern fringe of Tonbridge, with 298 children aged between 2 – 13 years old currently on roll.</p>



<p>With a reputation as a strong all-rounder, the school has also recently been receiving a lot of recognition for its stand-out Nursery, which has been expanded and transformed into a beautiful, spacious area for the youngest children to learn and explore and facilitates the a creative curriculum.</p>



<p>Not only has the newly expanded and redesigned Nursery opened up sought-after spaces for prospective parents, but it&#8217;s leading the way by fully embracing the very latest thinking in this Early Years setting. So what makes it so good?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-home-from-home">1. HOME FROM HOME</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5726.jpg" alt="Hilden Grange Nursery Welcome sign" class="wp-image-87710" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5726.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5726-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5726-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5726-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5726-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5726-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Little ones are very well catered for at this school. Sheena Sowerby is Head of Pre-Prep and Early Years and Tracy White is Nursery Leader. Together they had a vision to create a Nursery like to other. Heard of hygge? It’s the buzz word for warmth and a sense of community – and it’s being very successfully incorporated into Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) settings by the more progressive thinking schools. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5719.jpg" alt="Hilden Grange Nursery play area" class="wp-image-87709" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5719.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5719-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5719-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5719-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5719-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5719-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>It is a comforting space and although the children are very active and busy it has a real feeling of calmness as they are so absorbed in their play. For example each pupil even has a pair of slippers at school that they wear in the classroom – and putting them on (as they come in from running around outside) immediately instils a sense of calm in the child.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5699-1000x667.jpg" alt="Hilden Grange Nursery design" class="wp-image-87705" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5699-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5699-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5699-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5699-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5699-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5699.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Different areas invite the children to use their imaginations through role play, to explore shapes, numbers and sounds, to create and construct and to explore the world around them. So far so good – lots of Nurseries have this – but the difference is at Hilden Grange&nbsp;<em>everything</em>&nbsp;is authentic.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5711.jpg" alt="Hilden Grange Nursery building tools" class="wp-image-87708" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5711.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5711-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5711-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5711-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5711-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5711-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Here, the EYFS has a totally Scandi feel – lots of wood and natural material – no plastic in sight. The little tea sets are real china, the imaginative play areas contain a record player, a typewriter and a telephone &#8211; all wonderfully tactile, real-life objects. <a href="https://www.hildengrange.co.uk/Virtual-Tour/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CLICK HERE FOR A LOOK THE INSIDE THE NURSERY</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. MEDIA &amp; LEARNING</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5705.jpg" alt="Hilden Grange Nursery smartboard and sofa area" class="wp-image-87707" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5705.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5705-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5705-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5705-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5705-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5705-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>While the Nursery offers a refreshing return to the real world and connects children with nature and authentic experiences &#8211; the school does still recognise the need for their youngest pupils to embrace technology, which is an unavoidable reality of modern life. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_6143.jpg" alt="Hilden Grange Nursery girl learning to write letters using smartboard" class="wp-image-87711" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_6143.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_6143-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_6143-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_6143-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_6143-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_6143-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>In one end of the room sits a large sofa where good old fashioned story-time takes place. But there is also a huge smartboard, mounted on the wall at perfect height, where children can learn reading and writing skills in this mini Media Centre. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. OUTDOOR SPACE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/Outdoor-Hilden-Grange.jpg" alt="Hilden Grange Nursery Nature Camp Outdoor Play Area" class="wp-image-87713" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/Outdoor-Hilden-Grange.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/Outdoor-Hilden-Grange-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/Outdoor-Hilden-Grange-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/Outdoor-Hilden-Grange-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/Outdoor-Hilden-Grange-768x513.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/Outdoor-Hilden-Grange-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>While the inside of the Nursery is a highly engaging, home-from-home, outside learning is warmly encouraged too. Risk-taking, trying new things and building independence is all done within this secure environment.</p>



<p>Complementing the approach taken with the indoor Nursery, the Early Years Foundation Stage Outdoor Learning Area is also expertly designed. It sits right at the heart of the school and&nbsp;the ethos is very much that outdoor learning is a vital, integral part of the curriculum for the Early Years.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/Hilden-Grange-Hobbit-House.jpg" alt="Hilden Grange Hobbit House Outdoor Play Area" class="wp-image-87703" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/Hilden-Grange-Hobbit-House.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/Hilden-Grange-Hobbit-House-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/Hilden-Grange-Hobbit-House-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/Hilden-Grange-Hobbit-House-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/Hilden-Grange-Hobbit-House-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/Hilden-Grange-Hobbit-House-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Here you&#8217;ll find everything from an outdoor kitchen and Hobbit House to vegetable planters, where the Nursery children grow their own food which they&#8217;ll in turn eat &#8211; perfectly demonstrating the concept of &#8216;plot to plate&#8217;.</p>



<p>Nursery children enjoy regular Forest School sessions with the Forest School Leader. They also have PE, Music and Drama with specialist teachers (while we&#8217;re on the subject), which is pretty impressive.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. GIVE THEM AUTONOMY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5701.jpg" alt="Hilden Grange Nursery dinosaur station" class="wp-image-87706" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5701.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5701-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5701-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5701-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5701-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_5701-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>All this recent investment in the Nursery at Hilden Grange has meant the space inside is large and spacious, with lots of zones for various activities. Got a child who loves to sit and draw? There&#8217;s a space for that. Music? It&#8217;s all covered. Or perhaps they&#8217;d like imaginative play &#8211; or even a woodwork session? The options are endless. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_6156.jpg" alt="Hilden Grange Nursery girls playing" class="wp-image-87712" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_6156.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_6156-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_6156-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_6156-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_6156-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/IMG_6156-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The free-flow design of the Nursery &#8211; and the way it naturally transitions into the Outdoor Learning Area and vegetable allotment space &#8211; gives each young child autonomy over their own choice of activity. The result of all this is that little ones foster just the kind of confidence and love of learning that leads to academic success higher up the school.</p>



<p>If you would like to discover the Nursery for yourself, the school is holding an Early Years and Pre-Prep Open Morning on Friday 16<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;June. <a href="https://www.hildengrange.co.uk/admissions/open-days/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Book your place here</a>.</p>



<p><em>Hilden Grange&nbsp;Preparatory School,&nbsp;62 Dry Hill Park Road, Tonbridge TN10 3BX, Tel:&nbsp;01732 351169,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hildengrange.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hildengrange.co.uk</a></em></p>


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