Business Details
Award-Winning Nursery Education in Lisburn
Barbour Nursery School is a purpose-built educational facility located adjacent to the Lagan Valley Regional Park. Our school offers a secure and stimulating environment with extensive outdoor play areas featuring climbing apparatus, a vehicle circuit, role-play spaces, and a Butterfly Garden funded by The Big Lottery. Indoors, we provide a multi-purpose play room and a dedicated Family Room to support diverse learning experiences. With a maximum capacity of 52 children across two classes, our team includes a Principal teacher, assistant teachers, and nursery assistants who deliver a curriculum focused on intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development. We prioritise parental collaboration and have received recognition for our communication strategies and language development programs.Our achievements include the Eco-Schools Green Flag and the Action Cancer Gold award for promoting healthy lifestyles through gardening and recycling initiatives. The staff, trained in Incredible Years techniques, ensure each child's unique needs are met through progressive play and learning. Regular trips and guest visitors enrich our curriculum, while ongoing parent-teacher communication fosters a supportive community. Our facilities and teaching methods reflect a commitment to creating a safe, nurturing space where children thrive.
Services
Early Years Education
Outdoor Learning Programmes
Forest School Activities
Parent Partnership Initiatives
Environmental Education
Child Development Curriculum
Special Needs Support
Language Development Programmes
Healthy Lifestyle Promotion
Community Engagement Activities
Highlights and features
- We offer award-winning environmental education through our Eco-Schools Green Flag programme
- Our outdoor learning spaces include a purpose-built Butterfly Garden and Forest School areas
- Staff are trained in Incredible Years techniques for social and emotional development
- We maintain a low pupil-teacher ratio with dedicated classroom support teams
- Regular curriculum enhancements through organised educational trips and expert visitors
Associations and certifications
- Eco-Schools
- Action Cancer
Services
Early Years Education
Our structured curriculum develops children's intellectual, social, emotional and physical capabilities through progressive play-based learning. Experienced staff deliver tailored activities that maximise individual potential while maintaining a 26:1 pupil-teacher ratio. The programme integrates outdoor exploration with indoor educational resources to create comprehensive developmental opportunities.
Forest School Activities
Trained Forest School Leaders utilise our natural grounds to deliver hands-on woodland education. Children engage with diverse terrain through supervised exploration that builds confidence and environmental awareness. This approach aligns with Scandinavian outdoor learning principles while meeting UK safety standards for early years development.
Incredible Years Programme
Certified staff implement evidence-based techniques to strengthen social and emotional competencies. The Dinosaur School curriculum teaches emotion management, problem-solving and classroom behaviour through interactive activities. Parent workshops provide home learning strategies that reinforce school-based interventions for consistent child development.
Environmental Education
Our Eco-Schools Green Flag programme incorporates practical sustainability education through gardening, recycling and conservation projects. Children participate in planting, harvesting and maintaining wildlife habitats while learning about energy conservation and biodiversity in age-appropriate ways.
Parent Partnership Initiatives
We maintain daily communication channels and regular parent-teacher meetings to support child development. Parents can participate in classroom activities and receive guidance through our School Readiness programme, which offers strategies for home-based learning and behavioural support.
People
Mrs Cassells
Classroom Teacher
Experienced educator specialising in early years curriculum delivery with focus on structured play-based learning and individualised child development strategies.
Mrs Wilson
Classroom Teacher
Dedicated nursery educator implementing progressive teaching methods that combine indoor resources with outdoor exploration for holistic learning experiences.
Mrs Malcolm
Nursery Staff
Supporting classroom activities with expertise in creating stimulating educational environments that promote children's social interaction and creative development.
Questions
What age range do you accept?
We provide nursery education for children aged 3-5 years old in our full-time programme.
What are your operating hours?
Our standard session times run from 9:00am to 1:30pm Monday to Friday during term time.
How do you support child development?
We use a combination of structured curriculum, outdoor learning and Incredible Years techniques tailored to individual needs.
Are meals provided?
Parents should provide packed lunches, though we offer guidance on healthy eating choices.
How are parents involved?
We encourage daily communication, classroom visits and offer structured parent-teacher meetings throughout the year.
What safety measures are in place?
Our secure outdoor areas and trained staff ensure child safety with regular risk assessments conducted.
