The nursery is not only full of history and surrounded by open fields, the staff ‘provide the best possible care and education for all children’
We all know that Cambridgeshire is filled to the brim with historic buildings, architecture, and generally aesthetically pleasing places. Whether that is Ely Cathedral, often cited as one of the most famous landmarks in Cambridgeshire, or Kimbolton Castle, the final home of King Henry VIII’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon.
However, the quaint village of Madingley is home to a private nursery school, housed in a building dating back to the 19th-century. Stephen Perse Cambridge Early Years is a nursery offering baby, toddler, rising threes, and Kindergarten classes.
This private nursery was opened in 2020 by the Stephen Perse Foundation, who operate four nursery schools located in the Cambridgeshire and Saffron Walden areas. This ”picture-book” Victorian schoolhouse has architectural features built in simplified Tudor style, including gault brick in rat-trap bond, fish-scale tiles, and coped gables and kneelers.
“Imagine a picture-book Victorian schoolhouse, overlooking open fields and next door to woodlands. It’s idyllic – and it’s our lovely rural site at Madingley”, says the Stephen Perse Foundation.
Madingley nursery, for ages 1-3, is located in a lodge, complete with creative spaces and cosy areas. The kindergarten and reception classrooms run in the gorgeous Victorian schoolhouse. They have a large playground with climbing frames and balancing equipment, aimed at improving kids’ coordination, and sensory play areas featuring a mud kitchen.
The school has the luxury of being situated in a rural area surrounded by trees and fields, so the children have the opportunity to explore and learn more about the wonders of nature. The school boasts about promoting curiosity and allowing young learners the freedom to experiment and explore environments designed to maximise their learning.
Offering everything from physical activity and mindfulness to musical experiences and role play, this school sets out to ensure each child’s learning is tailored to their needs and encourages further stages of development.
This distinguished school has a current outstanding rating on Ofsted, and their public report says: “Children flourish in this very welcoming nursery under the expert care of extremely caring and highly experienced staff.
“Leaders and staff promote a joint passion and dedication to providing the best possible care and education for all children.”
