WELCOME TO
We’re thrilled that you’re taking the time to learn more about us, and it’s wonderful to know you may be considering becoming part of the Magdalen Gates family. That’s exciting for us and hopefully for you as well.
Choosing a nursery is an important step for your family. Our website is here to help you get a feel for who we are, the values we hold, and the approaches we use every day, all designed to make your child’s time with us as enjoyable, enriching, and engaging as possible.
Opened
January 2026
Magdalen Gates Nursery is a purpose-built setting, located alongside Magdalen Gates Primary School on Bull Close Road.
We have carefully shaped our learning environments, refined our ethos, and brought together a fantastic team of dedicated, highly trained educators. Our spaces are thoughtfully designed to feel like a true home-from-home, calm, nurturing and secure, while also inspiring curiosity, creativity and exploration.
We are delighted to now be welcoming children and families into our nursery community.
About us
At Magdalen Gates Nursery, our priority is to create a warm, safe and inspiring place for children to grow.
Founded on the principles of awe and wonder and learning through play, we adopt Forest School principles and the Curiosity Approach to create engaging, stimulating environments. Children are given the time and space to explore their thoughts fully, supported by caring educators who join in their learning and nurture each child’s individuality.
We believe every child is unique and deserves to feel safe, secure and confident to engage, explore and learn.
We welcome children from 3 months to school age, offering full and half-day childcare, all year round.
While we share a building with Magdalen Gates Primary School, Magdalen Gates Nursery is a separate organisation, with its own team, ethos and provision.
Our Values
Love
To feel loved and to develop a love of learning and life
Respect
For ourselves, others, and the world around us
Kindness
Practicing patience, compassion, and understanding
Resilience
Encouraging confidence, problem-solving, and perseverance
Our
Approach
We believe children flourish when given the freedom to follow their curiosity.
Our approach is child-led and play-based, with educators supporting learning in the moment, sometimes stepping in to guide, and sometimes stepping back to allow children to lead. We trust children to guide us through their learning journey, empowering them with responsibility and fostering intrinsic motivation.
Through meaningful experiences, both indoors and outdoors, children develop resilience, imagination and a lifelong love of learning.
What We Offer
Magdalen Gates Nursery is open from 8:00am – 6:00pm, Monday to Friday, all year round.
(excluding Bank Holidays and the period between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day)
Full Day Sessions
A balanced day of play and learning, with freshly prepared meals cooked by our in-house chef. Nutrition and enjoyment sit at the heart of every menu, and children are free to move between indoor and outdoor environments, exploring at their own pace.
Half Day Sessions
Flexible half-day options:
Sunrise: 8:00am – 1:00pm(breakfast, snacks and a hot lunch)
Sunset: 1:00pm – 6:00pm
(snacks and a high tea)
Funded Places
We accept Government Funding and profile it across the full year. A consumables charge applies to funded sessions to ensure all children have equal access to our enhanced resources, experiences, food, trips and celebrations.
Funding & Payments
We are registered with the Tax-Free Childcare scheme and work with a range of childcare voucher providers. Our team is happy to support families in using their chosen scheme.
Register Now
At Magdalen Gates Nursery, we want every child to feel safe, happy and inspired every day.
We would love to welcome you for a visit so you can experience our calm, nurturing environment for yourself. If you would like more information, a prospectus, or to register your interest, please complete our enquiry form and a member of the team will be in touch.