‘Next Stop School’ in Action at Sunhill Day Nursery Berkhamsted

Following the launch of its Next Stop School initiative earlier this year, Sunhill Day Nursery Berkhamsted, part of The Old Station Nursery Group, is proud to share how the programme is empowering children and families ahead of the transition to primary school.

Next Stop School is designed to make this milestone feel positive and supported, building children’s confidence, independence, and love of learning - while equipping them with practical school readiness skills.

A newly released video captures the initiative in action, showcasing the joy, pride, and sense of community it brings to children, families, and practitioners alike. Watch here: https://tosngroup.co/BerksNSS

“We launched Next Stop School because we know the transition to school is a huge milestone, not just for children, but for parents too,” said Emma Pittam, Early Years Director at The Old Station Nursery. “It’s been incredible to see the children rising to the challenge, proudly wearing their backpacks, and sharing their progress with families at home.”

A Shared Journey with Families At the heart of the initiative is strong collaboration with families. Nurseries bring the programme to life through creative, child-led activities such as:

• Transition-themed stories and role play • Group discussions about feelings and expectations around starting school • Celebrations of key milestones using child-friendly trackers and magnets • Collaborative learning at home using the specially designed backpacks • Ongoing updates for parents via the family app

Families have also received a £30 Clarks voucher to help them prepare for the practicalities of school life and access to a wealth of online resources designed to make school preparations manageable and exciting.

“One parent told us their magnet is now a key part of their morning routine,” Emma added. “These simple rituals build confidence and excitement.”

Underpinned by Brighter Learning The programme is rooted in the group’s Brighter Learning Approach, an enrichment framework extending the EYFS to support holistic development. From phonics and storytelling to independence at mealtimes, Next Stop School helps children grow emotionally, socially, and academically.

As the summer term continues, Sunhill Berkhamsted and other nurseries across the group will be sharing more stories of children preparing to take their next steps with pride.

click here for more details or to contact Sunhill Day Nursery Berkhamsted