Written by Jacqui Holford, Nursery Manager
From a baby’s first sensory exploration to a pre-school child’s growing independence and readiness for school, the activities available to children at Loughborough Nursery nurture curiosity, confidence, creativity and a lifelong love of learning. Every experience is carefully designed to support development across all areas of learning, including motor skills, physical movement, cognitive ability and emotional resilience. Not only does this support our children’s learning journey, but each environment aims to inspire a sense of adventure that elevates everyday life here within our setting.
New for 2026 and already sitting at the heart of our nursery, the library is a calm and inviting space where children develop an early love of storytelling. Babies and toddlers enjoy sharing books with familiar adults, forming early communication skills and positive associations with reading, while our pre-school children build language, literacy and comprehension skills through discovering their new favourite reads.
The sensory area is full of soft, adjustable lighting, bubble tubes and tactile toys, all of which combine to create a stimulating space for exploring different textures, sounds, lights and materials. These experiences support sensory processing in young children, develop a capacity for concentration and encourage early cognitive development. As children get older, the sensory area is used to help regulate emotions, develop mindfulness and engage in exploratory play.
This sense of learning through play is further promoted in our exciting Discovery Room which includes areas where children can create their own supermarket, pretend they’re visiting the vets, explore the dressing up box or let their imaginations run free in the home corner. This is a key space in which children build stronger relationships with their peers and develop their social skills.
I think every member of staff at Loughborough Nursery would agree with me when I say that the Barn is a special space. This versatile environment is filled with opportunities for excitement, physical development and supervised risk-taking. Our staff work with babies and toddlers to develop their balance, coordination and gross motor skills while older children challenge themselves through climbing, balancing, jumping and team activities that promote resilience and perseverance.
As part of the Loughborough Schools Foundation, our Pioneers – aged three to four – enjoy weekly PE sessions with a specialist member of the Foundation’s team of sports staff. Not only do these sessions help develop agility, coordination and an understanding of healthy lifestyles, but they also introduce children to new friendly faces, preparing them for life beyond nursery.
Children also visit the Foundation’s Forest School, enabling regular opportunities to connect with the natural world. A vital part of their early education, outdoor learning teaches children how to assess risk, work collaboratively and develop a sense of responsibility for the environment. For babies and toddlers, Forest School offers sensory-rich experiences while pre-school children enjoy investigating nature, using tools safely and imaginative outdoor play.
Regular visits into Loughborough town centre enable children to explore beyond their everyday nursery environment by visiting local shops, the market, the park or the library, further developing their social confidence, communication skills and independence. Alongside this, our Pioneers enjoy several special trips each year; a visit to the farm is always a highlight! While it offers a first-hand experience with animals and the countryside, for many children, the coach journey is every bit as exciting as the destination itself, providing opportunities to develop confidence in new situations.
By offering such a diverse range of opportunities both within our setting and in the wider community, we help every child build the skills they need not only for their next stage of education but for life beyond the classroom.
