A smiling baby in an orange shirt and sun hat is carefully supported by nursery staff on wooden outdoor play equipment at Chiltern Nursery & Training College, illustrating safe exploration in early years childcare.

Our Nursery – A Home from Home



Chiltern Nursery provides a safe, supportive environment with specialised buildings and large grounds for children aged 2 months to 5 years to play, learn, grow and thrive.



Chiltern Nursery & Training College logo.
As the world constantly changes around us, one thing has always stayed the same: the children are the heart and soul of everything we do at Chiltern NTC.




Parents as Partners



A child feels safe and secure when their parents or guardians and nursery staff work together.

That's why we prioritise working in partnership with every child's parents or guardians to ensure all individual needs are met and the transition between home and nursery is as smooth as possible.

Cooperation between parents and nursery staff starts at the very beginning of a child's journey at Chiltern. Each child's introduction to nursery is through an induction, followed by pre-arranged 'settling-in visits', which help to ensure that both children and parents are happy and comfortable.

Throughout the year, we operate an open-door policy, welcoming parents into the nursery to play or chat whenever convenient. We also organise special events for parents or guardians to attend, such as Parents' Evenings and Family Days.

During your child's time at nursery, our friendly and dedicated staff will keep you informed about all aspects of your child's care and development. Communication will be tailored to suit your preferences, ensuring it's convenient and effective for you.

By working together, we help every child to thrive, both at home and nursery.

Staff member engaging with a young child outdoors, smiling while they interact.

Learning & Development



Provision for children’s care, learning and development is based on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework written by the Department for Education. The EYFS takes into consideration the care, development and learning opportunities that should be provided for all children.

There are seven areas of learning and development that must shape educational programmes in early years settings. All areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected.


The Three Prime Areas


  • Communication and Language
  • Physical Development
  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development

These are the vital foundations for igniting curiosity, enthusiasm for learning, forming relationships and thriving.

They reflect the key skills and capabilities all children need to develop to become confident, successful learners through school and life.

Children and nursery staff exploring the outdoors, looking at insects or small creatures.
A young boy draws with colored pens at a wooden table with guidance from a Chiltern Nursery & Training College practitioner, showing hands-on early years care in a day nursery setting.

The Four Specific Areas


  • Literacy
  • Mathematics
  • Understanding the World
  • Expressive Arts and Design

These build on the development gained through the prime areas, strengthening them.

At CNTC, we focus strongly on the prime areas which are the basis for successful learning and provide the foundations and building blocks for the specific areas.  As children grow in confidence and ability within the prime areas the balance will shift towards a more equal focus on both prime and specific areas of learning.



Two young children playing together outdoors, one smiling and laughing.

A day in the life at Chiltern Nursery



We aim to make every day that your child spends at nursery a fun, enjoyable and educational experience!

    Close-up of young children’s hands playing with diggers and shovels in a sandpit at Chiltern Nursery & Training College, encouraging tactile learning and creative play in early years childcare.
    A day in the life at Chiltern Nursery


    We facilitate a huge range of developmental and age appropriate activities and stimulating experiences throughout our various nursery rooms, soft play rooms and beautiful safe gardens.

      A toddler sleeps soundly under a white blanket in a quiet nursery room at Chiltern Nursery & Training College, reflecting the calm, nurturing environment of the day nursery.
      A day in the life at Chiltern Nursery


      As children develop and progress through the nursery they are able to make independent choices.


        Child and staff member sharing a high-five outdoors while playing with chalk.

        Child-Led & Tailored Approach

        The nursery believes in children learning through play, through enjoyment of what they are doing and through interaction with caring, supportive adults.

        We provide a wide range of appropriate activities and experiences both inside and out, which we believe the children will enjoy and which are based on the concept of children learning through play.

        Play is essential for children’s development, building their confidence as they learn to explore, to think about problems, and relate to others.

        We prioritise the development of the children and ensure that every child is given the support to develop at their own pace and to their full potential.

        Your child’s key person and key team will observe them in play enabling them to create a tailored approach taking into consideration their unique personality, preferences and individual needs.

        Our aspiration at CNTC is for all children to be:

        • Creative – Creative children explore for themselves, thus allowing them to think of their own ideas, build theories and critically think
        • Confident – Confident children believe in their own abilities and have a ‘can-do attitude’, taking on new experiences with gusto
        • Curious – Curious children ask questions and explore allowing them to learn more
        Child cutting play spaghetti with scissors during an activity, smiling with concentration.

        Baby peacefully sleeping in a crib with a blanket, seen from above.

        Sleep & Rest

        Throughout their time at nursery, your child will be given the opportunity to rest and sleep. Your child’s individual sleep patterns will be discussed and agreed at induction. We will endeavour to meet your requirements within the daily routine.

        We recognise that your child will have individual needs when being settled to sleep and will ask you to bring comfort items, such as blankets or toys from home to help them settle.


        Nursery staff teaching a child how to prepare food, with vegetables and knives on a cutting board.

        Eat Better, Start Better

        We love mealtimes! With lots of yummy food prepared from scratch in our kitchen, mealtimes offer a great opportunity for children to develop socially, increase their self-help skills and develop healthy eating habits.  We follow a family style dining approach which encourages respectful social skills and healthy choices.

        Our menus are designed in line with guidelines from the Foundation Years Eat Better, Start Better campaign and are well-balanced, varied and nutritious.


        Watch our video tour


        Nursery staff feeding a toddler while the child smiles, sitting with two other children.
        Your child can relax and enjoy a morning snack, main meal at lunch and a light tea in the afternoon as appropriate with their age and individual dietary needs.




        As both a parent and a teacher with experience in early years, I can't sing enough praises for Chiltern Nursery.

        Their nurturing approach has played a pivotal role in fostering my son's confidence and independence, which means the world to me. Additionally, the incredible gardens provide a perfect environment for my son to play and grow.

        Chiltern Nursery truly offers an exceptional place for children to thrive.

        ”


        Parent of a child attending Chiltern NTC
        Child playing with toy dinosaur and plants at nursery.

        Our kids love this nursery and we love it too!

        Everything is well organised and things seem to run very well. It's a safe place- both physically and emotionally. Every member of staff (even in other parts of the nursery) knows our children and gives them a lot of care and attention.

        The location and facilities are incredible- our kids are outside so often and there is such a variety of things they can do indoors and outdoors.

        ”


        Parent of two children attending Chiltern NTC
        Children and staff engaging in a messy play activity with colourful foam and rice.

        I am so impressed with the care my son receives in Halliday's room at Chiltern Nursery. The new room leader is such a wonderful woman who knows our child inside and out and shares our enjoyment in his development each day.

        I love the massive outdoor area and the amount of time the kiddies are out playing in the fresh air. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff.

        ”


        Parent of a child attending Chiltern NTC
        CNTC practitioner smiling at baby during outdoor play.

        Having had both my boys attend Chiltern over a number of years, I continue to have great confidence in what they do here.

        There is a depth of knowledge and expertise that leads to a stable and nurturing environment, with often quite staggering attention to details of development. Staff are always friendly, positive, and committed.

        ”


        Parent of a child attending Chiltern NTC
        Staff member showing an educational book to a child, both engaged in conversation.

        It's been the best environment for both our children, with great facilities & outdoor space to be in to explore all year round.

        The team are incredible and have really made it an unforgettable experience for us all. They have played the biggest part in helping to nurture & let both personalities thrive.

        I couldn't be happier knowing that the best time/ care is had whilst there.

        ”


        Parent of two children attending Chiltern NTC
        Chiltern NTC practitioner with children during outdoor play.

        The staff are very approachable and friendly. Everyone smiles at you when you arrive at the start and end of the day, even if they are not the key worker for your child, which creates a very welcoming and reassuring environment.

        ”


        Parent of a child attending Chiltern NTC
        CNTC practitioner engaging with a child outdoors.


          What's next?



          1

          Get in touch

          This can be done via the contact form that can be found below.
          2

          Come and visit

          Please make an appointment to come and visit so we are able to give you an extensive tour.
          3

          Register for a space

          Speak with our friendly admissions team to secure a space for your child at Chiltern Nursery.

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