Our Values
At Sandcastle Nursery & Preschool, we build resilience by encouraging children to face challenges with courage and curiosity, view mistakes as valuable learning opportunities, believe in their own potential, and treat others with kindness and respect—creating a nurturing environment where every child can thrive.
We Build Resilience
We don’t give up when things get tough—instead, we take a breath, try again, and keep moving forward with courage, curiosity, and a willingness to learn.
Learn from Mistakes
Mistakes aren’t failures—they’re part of the journey! Every stumble helps you learn, grow, and get stronger.
Believe in Yourself
Confidence starts inside. We help children see their own potential and encourage them to keep reaching for their goals.
Be Kind and Respectful
We create a safe, caring space where everyone is treated with kindness. We cheer each other on and celebrate our differences.
Learn more about our environment and approach ....
Starfishes Group
Under twos group
Our Starfishes room provides a calm, nurturing introduction to early learning. Children settle in through personalised transitions, including relaxed play sessions or an optional home visit, helping them feel safe and secure from day one. Daily routines are designed to support early brain development through sensory exploration, songs, stories, and responsive interactions. We follow each child’s individual sleep, feeding, and play routines, promoting emotional security and strong attachment. Our experienced and qualified team, all first-aid trained, working to a 1:3 adult-to-child ratio, build close partnerships with families to support communication, physical development, and emerging social skills—laying the foundation for lifelong learning.
Turtles Group
Two - Three years
Our Turtles group provides a rich, play-based learning environment where children begin to develop key skills across the prime areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Through carefully planned activities, we support the development of language and communication, imaginative thinking, and emotional regulation. Children are encouraged to make choices, express themselves, and build positive relationships—laying strong foundations for literacy, numeracy, and personal growth. With a qualified, first-aid trained team and a 1:5 adult-to-child ratio, every child receives personalised support as they grow in independence and confidence.
Seahorses Group
From 3 years to school age
Confident Learners, Ready for School
In Seahorses, children strengthen their independence and confidence through structured routines such as self-care, dressing, and preparing snacks—promoting autonomy and self-regulation. Our curriculum supports the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) by embedding early literacy and numeracy through purposeful play, storytelling, counting, and mark-making. Children explore problem-solving and critical thinking through creative and investigative activities, while daily outdoor learning enhances gross motor skills and an understanding of the natural world. A 1:8 adult-to-child ratio and a team fully trained in paediatric first aid ensure a safe, responsive environment where children thrive and build readiness for school.
Nature play and outdoor learning
Our spacious garden offers a natural, safe, and engaging environment where children can run, climb, balance, and explore all year round. With soft wood chip flooring, a wide variety of equipment, and open-ended materials, we encourage active play, physical development, and safe risk-taking under close supervision.
Outdoor learning is an essential part of our approach—helping children build confidence, strengthen gross and fine motor skills, and develop a lifelong love for nature and the outdoors.
All children go outside daily as part of their group routine, with Starfishes and Turtles often joining together to enjoy shared play and learning experiences. This supports social development, builds friendships across age groups, and allows for a rich variety of outdoor exploration.
Sandcastle Nursery and Preschool Ltd.
19 Stourcliffe Avenue
Southbourne
Bournemouth
Dorset
BH6 3PU
