CHURCHER’S College Nursery School in Liphook opened its doors for the first time earlier this month.

Lots of eager children went in to explore the beautiful building, new resources, toys and bespoke nursery equipment.

In their first week the children were very busy, playing and learning, cooking and counting.

They have met lots of the junior school teachers, learning French, practising their sounds in music by slithering like snakes in the book corner and learning how to take a picture and record an art clip on the iPads. They even visited an enchanted forest during a PE lesson.

The new nursery school is at the same site as Churcher’s College Junior School.

Churcher’s College Nursery School headteacher Annabelle Knowles said: “We have two age groups, the Owls and the Pussycats.

“The owls are the year below reception and hopefully it will be an easy transition into the junior school here for them. Several teachers come down here from the junior school.

“For the parents as well, they get their children here now, and some of the children have older siblings at the junior school.”

Annabelle also highlighted the number of different ways the children learn.

She added: “If you get the children’s learning right at this age you set them up for the rest of their learning.

“We do a lot of learning through play to create moments for the children.

“We also do lots of outdoor learning. The outdoor area has an outdoor cover which is UV protected and protects the children from the weather, and the children learn about co-ordination and teamwork.

“We also have lots of singing and dancing and developmental learning.

“We also incorporate learning from home and the children use a star wall.”

Churcher’s College Junior School deputy headteacher Philipa Yugin-Power said: “The nursery makes the transition to the junior school very easy, as the children will already know the teachers and already go for walks on the school grounds. It is also lovely for the teachers to get to know the children before they come to the school.”

Nicola Palmer, who has a daughter at Churcher’s College Nursery School, said: “The nursery school is lovely and she enjoys it here.

“Her older brother and sister are at the junior school and they get to say hello, which is very nice.

“It is great for the transition into reception.”