meet our staff- The nest
At Sir James Knott Nursery School and the Nest, our staff are at the heart of everything we do.
Our team is made up of dedicated, caring and highly skilled professionals who are passionate about supporting young children during their earliest and most important years. From qualified teachers and early years practitioners to support staff and leaders, every member of our team plays a vital role in creating a safe, nurturing and inspiring environment.
We believe that strong relationships matter. Our staff take time to get to know every child as an individual, building trusting relationships that help children feel secure, confident and ready to learn. Warm, responsive interactions underpin our practice across both the Nursery School and the Nest.
Staff regularly engage in high-quality professional development, ensuring that practice is evidence-informed and responsive to children’s needs. We are proud of our inclusive approach and our expertise in supporting children with additional needs, working closely with families and other professionals.
When you meet our team, you will see a shared commitment to helping every child achieve, belong and thrive.
Meet our staff- Sir james knott nursery school
wellbeing and mental health
At Sir James Knott Nursery School and the Nest, we recognise that wellbeing and mental health are fundamental to the success of both children and adults within our community. We are committed to creating a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, supported and able to thrive.
For our children, we prioritise strong, trusting relationships and ensure each child has a consistent key person who understands their individual needs. Through warm, responsive interactions and a deep understanding of child development, we support children to feel secure, confident and ready to learn.
We place a strong emphasis on developing emotional literacy and co-regulation/ self-regulation, supporting children to recognise and express their feelings. Through approaches such as emotion coaching, calming strategies and high-quality interactions, children develop resilience, independence and a positive sense of self.
We also recognise the importance of staff wellbeing and mental health. A happy, supported staff team is essential in providing the very best care and education for our children. We promote a culture of openness, support and professional care, ensuring staff feel listened to, valued and supported in their roles.
As part of our commitment, we currently have a member of staff trained in Mental Health First Aid at Work, with a further three staff members due to complete this training in June. This strengthens our ability to support both staff and families, ensuring that appropriate guidance and support is available when needed.
We provide rich opportunities for play, outdoor learning and physical activity, recognising their vital role in supporting mental health and wellbeing for all. Our environments are carefully designed to promote calm, engagement and a strong sense of belonging.
We work in close partnership with families and external professionals to ensure the right support is in place at the right time, for both children and adults.
Through our nurturing ethos, we aim for every member of our community to feel happy, safe and supported, ready to Achieve, Belong and Thrive.
meet olive our school dog
We are proud to introduce Olive, our school dog, who is part of our warm and nurturing environment at Sir James Knott Nursery School and the Nest.
Olive supports children's wellbeing, confidence and communication and helps to create a calm and nurturing environment where children feel safe and secure.
Olive is always carefully supervised, and children's safety is our highest priority.
How Olive Helps Our Children
Spending time with Olive can help children to:
🐾 Feel calm and emotionally secure
🐾 Build confidence and self-esteem
🐾 Develop empathy and kindness
🐾 Improve communication and language
🐾 Learn to care for living things
🐾 Experience positive relationships
Olive is particularly helpful in supporting children’s emotional wellbeing and SEND needs.
Educational Impact of Olive
Olive supports learning and development in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Birth to 5 Matters guidance.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Olive helps children to:
- Develop secure relationships
- Build confidence in new situations
- Learn to manage feelings
- Develop empathy and care for others
- Feel a sense of belonging
Communication and Language
Olive supports children to:
- Talk about their experiences
- Develop new vocabulary
- Engage in conversations
- Listen and respond
- Share stories and experiences
Physical Development
Olive provides opportunities for children to:
- Develop gentle handling skills
- Practise coordination and control
- Learn about personal hygiene through handwashing routines
Understanding the World
Olive helps children to:
- Learn about animals and living things
- Develop curiosity and interest
- Understand how to care for animals
- Learn about routines and responsibility
Keeping Children Safe Around Olive
Children’s safety always comes first.
Olive is:
✔ Calm and gentle
✔ Carefully supervised by adults
✔ Never left alone with children
✔ Introduced to children gradually
✔ Given regular rest breaks
✔ Provided with a quiet safe space
Children are never required to interact with Olive.
Hygiene and Health
We maintain high standards of hygiene.
✔ Children wash hands after touching Olive
✔ Olive is clean and well cared for
✔ Regular grooming and vet checks
✔ Up-to-date vaccinations
✔ Toileted before entering school
✔ Not allowed in food areas
Supporting Every Child
We understand that some children may:
• Feel nervous around dogs
• Have allergies
• Prefer not to interact
We will always respect individual needs and ensure all children feel safe and comfortable.
Please speak to a member of staff if your child:
• Has allergies
• Is worried about dogs
• Should not have contact with animals
🐾 Olive’s Promise
Olive will always be:
✔ Safe
✔ Calm
✔ Supervised
✔ Well cared for
✔ A positive part of school life
Ofsted- Sir James Knott Nursery School
We were last inspected on 14th June 2022. We were informed that the school continues to be good.
To access a copy of our short inspection report, please click on the document below
"Sir James Knott Memorial Nursery School is a welcoming place to learn. Parents and carers value this school. It is a caring and safe place where staff commit to children's learning and well-being. All staff focus on helping every child to flourish and achieve well.
Children settle into school quickly because they are well supported by adults. They enjoy spending time in the exciting outdoor area, where they make potions with eucalyptus leaves and climb in their boat and sing. They make tea together and explore new things. Each activity that teachers set up for children has a reason for being there.
Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have their needs met well. With additional teaching support, they access the same learning opportunities as their friends. Parents praise how much staff keep in touch with them and involve them in everything they do for their children".
Our governing body
The Governing Body of Sir James Knott Nursery School and the Nest plays a vital role in ensuring the school provides high-quality early education and care for all children.
As a Maintained Nursery School, our governors work in close partnership with the Headteacher and senior leaders to provide strategic leadership, support and challenge. The governing body is responsible for setting the school’s strategic direction, holding leaders to account for educational standards and safeguarding, and ensuring the effective use of resources so that children receive the best possible start in life.
Governors bring a wide range of skills, experience and perspectives, including education, finance, safeguarding and community engagement. This enables them to ask informed questions, offer constructive challenge and support continuous improvement across both the Nursery School and The Nest.
Safeguarding is a key priority for the governing body. Governors ensure that robust policies, procedures and safer recruitment practices are in place and that the school meets all statutory requirements to keep children safe. They regularly review safeguarding arrangements and work closely with leaders to ensure a strong culture of vigilance and care.
The governing body is also committed to promoting inclusion, equality and well-being for children, families and staff. Governors monitor progress against the School Development Plan and ensure that the school’s vision and values are reflected in daily practice.
Through regular meetings, visits and engagement with school leaders, the governing body supports Sir James Knott Nursery School and the Nest to continue to achieve, belong and thrive.