Meoncross Nursery gives children from 2.5 years a warm, friendly and stimulating first step into school life in Fareham. We know that choosing a nursery is an important decision, and we want your child to feel safe, known and excited to come through the door each day.
Our Nursery is part of the wider Meoncross School community, so children can begin their earliest school journey in a familiar coastal village setting. They have space to play, explore, build friendships and grow in confidence, with caring adults who work closely with you from the start.
WELCOME TO NURSERY
Welcome to our Nursery
Our Early Years journey begins in Nursery, where children are welcomed into a bespoke setting planned for young learners. The environment is warm, friendly and stimulating, giving children the reassurance they need while they begin to explore the world beyond home.
Children benefit from being part of Meoncross from an early age. They can enjoy the rhythm of school life, meet familiar staff, join whole-school moments and begin to feel proud of belonging to a community that will support them as they grow.
We take time to understand each child as an individual. That means noticing their strengths, their areas for development, the activities they love and the small routines that help them feel settled.
NEXT STEPS:
FROM AGE 2.5
Care for children from 2.5 years
Children can join Meoncross Nursery from the age of 2.5. Our Nursery is open during term time from 8.45am to 3.45pm, with Meoncross provision for 38 weeks of the year and additional weeks provided by our in-house holiday club, Little Lagooners. We also have wraparound care available in the form of before and after school care if parents need additional flexibility with the start and finish times of the school day.
We recommend that children in Seahorses attend at least three core sessions each week. For children in Starfish, which is the preschool year before full-time school, we recommend at least six core sessions each week so they can settle into routines and make the most of the Nursery curriculum.
These attendance patterns help children feel secure and part of the group. Regular sessions give them time to build relationships, enjoy repeated experiences and develop confidence before moving towards Reception.
LEARNING THROUGH PLAY
Learning through play every day
Children learn through an expertly delivered Early Years curriculum, where play, conversation, movement and practical experiences all help them make progress. We support each child's development by observing what they enjoy, what they are ready to try next and how they learn best.
The Nursery curriculum gives children opportunities to build language, social confidence, independence and early learning habits. They learn how to share, listen, ask questions, solve small problems and take part in a happy group setting.
Children also benefit from a broad range of weekly specialist lessons. French, Ballet, PE, Music and Drama are taught by qualified teachers and specialist staff, giving children different ways to move, speak, listen, create and express themselves.
A TYPICAL DAY
A typical day in the Nursery
A Nursery day at Meoncross is active, varied and carefully supported. Children have time for play, focused learning, outdoor experiences, specialist lessons and shared routines that help them understand what comes next.
Everyday moments matter in the early years. Choosing an activity, joining a game, tidying away, sharing lunch, managing personal care and asking for help all build independence in ways that feel natural to young children.
We also make space for creativity and curiosity through activities such as mini-masterchef cooking and gardening club. These experiences help children use their senses, practise new language and enjoy the satisfaction of trying something for themselves.
BEACH SCHOOL
Specialist activities and Beach School
Outdoor learning is a key part of life in our Nursery. Children take part in regular Beach School, a programme we have been running for over a decade, with beach staff trained to Wild Beach Level 3.
Our coastal village location gives children rich opportunities to notice, explore and learn outside. Time outdoors helps children build confidence, develop physical skills, ask questions about the natural world and enjoy learning in a different setting.
Children also enjoy local day trips and specialist sessions that add variety to the Nursery week. These experiences give them new things to talk about, new skills to practise and new memories to bring home to you.
PASTORAL CARE
Pastoral care in the early years
Young children need adults who know them well. At Meoncross, we choose each child's key worker by being guided by the natural bond they make with our experienced Early Years staff.
We work in close partnership with home. Through Tapestry, our online learning journey platform, we share regular updates on your child's development and the activities they have taken part in.
Families are encouraged to share achievements from outside school too, so we can recognise and celebrate those moments together. Parents can also speak to staff through our open-door approach, and we hold parents' evenings every term.
Safety and reassurance are part of that care. Meoncross has Millie's Mark Award, which recognises our commitment to going above and beyond first aid practice, and all staff working directly with children hold an Advanced Paediatric First Aid qualification.
NEXT STEP
A smooth transition into Reception
When the time comes to join Reception, children are already familiar with many of the staff, routines and spaces around them. They know what it feels like to have lunch in the school hall, follow drop-off and pick-up routines and be part of the wider Meoncross community.
Regular events and collaborative sessions help Nursery children become familiar with the Reception classroom, Reception teachers and older pupils. These experiences give children a sense of security and help them grow in confidence before full-time schooling begins.
Children also join whole-school moments such as Remembrance Service and activities including Sports Day. Older pupils cheer them on, offer support and help them feel that they already belong.
COME AND VISIT
Visit the Nursery and meet our team
The best way to understand Meoncross Nursery is to visit, meet our Early Years team and see how the setting feels for your child. A visit gives you time to ask about routines, Beach School, specialist lessons, funding, fees and the move into Reception.
Families can book a Nursery visit, make an enquiry or contact admissions to discuss the next step. You can also speak to us about availability, session recommendations and how Nursery could fit around your family life.
Join us for an Open Morning
At our Open Mornings you will have the opportunity to meet our Head and other key members of staff, and learn more about what a Meoncross education looks like.
Please click below to register to attend our upcoming Open Morning. We can’t wait to meet you!
Upcoming Open Events:
Open Morning: Friday 20th November, 10.30am-12pm