MP among guests at Banstead nursery opening

Children at a newly renovated Banstead nursery planted a time capsule at an official reopening where Reigate MP Rebecca Paul was among guests invited to share the occasion.

Warren Mead Infant and Junior Partnership Schools have renovated their nursery and expanded the facility to welcome two-year-olds for the first time, and a special opening ceremony was held on Friday (18).

The move means that children can enjoy a continuous education within the GLF Schools Multi-Academy Trust which also includes Cuddington Croft Primary School and The Beacon secondary school. 

“Children need to be provided with the opportunity to not only develop in all areas of the Foundation Stage, but to flourish.  This two-year-old nursery provision gives these children a real opportunity to learn through practical and play-based learning.  Thank you for inviting me to your official opening. I wish the new nursery every success for the future,” said Rebecca.

Trust CEO Julian Drinkall was also among guests at the event and said: “I was delighted to join our guests, parents and carers at the opening of the new and expanded Nursery at Warren Mead. At GLF Schools, we understand the transformative effect that high-quality early education has on children and young adults, and I am thrilled that we can now offer this provision for families in and around Banstead.”

Scott Maclean, Executive Headteacher at Warren Mead and Cuddington Croft, said the opening was an exciting moment for the school and an important milestone in the long-term vision for early childhood education.

“We believe in giving our children the best possible start in life.  Our new nursery for two-year-olds provides a nurturing, language-rich environment where children can develop key skills through play and exploration. The expansion of our nursery is an important step in supporting our local community by offering excellent early years education that meets the needs of families in Banstead and beyond,” he said.

He also held a special storytime and read to the children. There was also a special gallery set-up to showcase their creative work. 

Both the Caterpillars (ages 2-3) and Butterflies (ages 3-4) classes have been renovated to provide a welcoming and stimulating environment to foster a love of learning from the earliest age.

Charlotte Briley, dedicated Early Years and Foundation Studies teacher, has played a pivotal role in developing the provision.

“Our aim is to create a space where children feel safe, valued, and curious. We’re proud of the new learning environment we’ve created, with a focus on developing children’s language skills and confidence. Our outdoor spaces give children the opportunity to explore, be active, and engage with nature every day," she said.

The event included an official ribbon-cutting as well as the time capsule burial. The children will open it on the day they leave Year 6.

To commemorate the occasion, the children and staff planted a Friendship Tree in the nursery garden, symbolising the growth of the nursery community. Alongside this, a bubble ceremony brought smiles to the children’s faces as they celebrated the exciting new chapter.