What strikes you first when you visit Thornlow’s Nursery is the rapport between the children and their teachers. There is trust. There is affection. There is laughter. These children clearly feel understood and nurtured. All the pre-conditions for learning are present. Children can progress comfortably, at their own speed. They can do their best.

Class sizes are small – no more than 12. Each child is known inside out. Such is the focus on each child that strengths and weaknesses are detected very early on. The expectations made of each child are finely and expertly judged. For some, there can be extension activities and for others, reinforcement.

Rarely do you encounter two such highly qualified teachers at this level. It is their expertise and humanity that set Thornlow apart from those many day nurseries where children play a lot but, frankly, learn less than they might.