Business Details
Trusted Early Years Education in Milton Keynes
Knowles Nursery School is a dedicated early years educational institution committed to providing high-quality learning experiences for children aged 2-5. Our team of qualified teachers and specialists create a nurturing environment where individuality is celebrated, and foundational skills are developed through play-based learning. We prioritise inclusivity, ensuring every child receives tailored support to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. As a state-funded nursery school, we collaborate closely with Saplings Family Centre to offer integrated services including speech therapy, health clinics, and parental engagement programs.Our curriculum aligns with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, focusing on holistic development and seamless transitions to primary education. With a strong emphasis on safeguarding and well-being, we maintain robust policies and trained staff to ensure children's safety. Recognised in OFSTED reports for our excellence, we serve families across Milton Keynes, fostering community partnerships to deliver comprehensive early childhood education.
Services
Early Years Education
Speech Therapy
Stay and Play Sessions
Safeguarding Services
Home Learning Resources
Parental Engagement
Health Clinics
Transition Support
Curriculum-Based Learning
Welfare Support
Highlights and features
- State-funded nursery with qualified teachers and specialist resources
- Tailored support for children with additional needs and SEN provision
- Integrated with Saplings Family Centre for holistic family services
- Proven track record in successful primary school transitions
- Robust safeguarding policies and OFSTED-recognised excellence
What people say
Committed staff and teachers
Very safe and amazing
Settled very well
Highly recommend
Effective safeguarding
Services
Early Years Education
Our play-based curriculum follows the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, focusing on prime and specific areas of development. Qualified teachers deliver tailored activities to nurture communication, problem-solving, and social skills. Resources and environments are designed to inspire creativity, independence, and foundational academic abilities for children aged 2-5.
Speech and Language Therapy
Specialist therapists provide fortnightly sessions addressing speech and language development. Interventions are tailored to individual needs, supporting children with communication challenges. Collaborative approaches involve parents and staff to reinforce progress, ensuring children develop effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills essential for learning and social interaction.
Safeguarding Services
Robust safeguarding policies ensure children's safety and well-being. Trained staff implement procedures for identifying and reporting concerns, with direct links to Milton Keynes MASH. Protective Behaviours principles and NSPCC's PANTS rule are integrated into daily practice, empowering children to recognise and communicate about personal safety boundaries.
Stay and Play Sessions
Weekly sessions for children aged 0-5 and their caregivers promote social development and parental involvement. Activities encourage interaction, sharing, and early learning skills in a supportive environment. These sessions foster community connections and provide informal educational opportunities for pre-nursery children and families.
Transition Support
Structured programs prepare children for primary school transitions. Key workers collaborate with receiving schools to share developmental insights, ensuring continuity of care and learning. Families receive guidance on adjusting to new environments, with gradual introduction periods to ease children's adaptation to their next educational stage.
People
Natalie Fowler
Headteacher
Natalie leads with a commitment to early years excellence, leveraging her expertise in safeguarding and child development. She champions inclusive education and community collaboration, ensuring every child receives tailored support to thrive academically and socially.
Jen Jaggers
School Administrator
Jen manages administrative operations, providing essential support for admissions, communications, and daily school functions. Her organisational skills ensure smooth coordination between staff, parents, and external partners, maintaining efficient nursery operations.
Amanda Fisher
Family Centre Head
Amanda oversees Saplings Family Centre's integrated services, coordinating programs that support children and families. Her leadership ensures cohesive delivery of health, education, and welfare initiatives, strengthening community engagement and holistic family support.
Liz Jones
Assistant Headteacher
Liz supports safeguarding and curriculum implementation, sharing her expertise in child protection and early learning. She collaborates with staff and external agencies to maintain high standards of care and educational quality across all nursery programs.
Sam Key
Enhanced Practitioner
Sam delivers specialist educational and therapeutic interventions, focusing on individualised support for children with additional needs. His practice integrates developmental strategies and family collaboration to maximise each child's learning potential and social integration.
Questions
What age range do you accept?
We admit children from the term after their second birthday until they transition to primary school the year they turn five.
Do you support children with special educational needs?
Yes, we provide specialist resources, including fortnightly speech therapy sessions and tailored support plans developed by qualified staff and external professionals.
How do you prepare children for primary school?
Our curriculum focuses on foundational skills, with transition programs including school visits, information sharing with receiving schools, and family guidance sessions.
What safeguarding measures are in place?
We have trained safeguarding leads, protective behaviours education, and direct reporting protocols to Milton Keynes MASH, ensuring children's safety and well-being.
Are there family engagement opportunities?
Yes, we offer stay-and-play sessions, home learning resources, and Saplings Family Centre programs supporting holistic family development and community connections.
Reviews (6)
Megan Bryant
Nov 03, 2021
Report
I couldn’t thank Knowles enough for being an amazing support to kaiden and giving him all the love and care he needed to start his education journey and help him to get where he is today if he didn’t have them he wouldn’t be where he is today thank you Steph thank you Natalie and all the staff for being amazing people It’s hard to be happy and… satisfied with a school or nursery when you have a special needs child and to hope they have the correct help and support they need and Knowles has helped me get the right support and the right help kaiden needs to go forward
Becca Louise
Dec 19, 2019
Report
My daughter joined this school in October, and already its all she talks about. She loves being here. The space is unbelievable and the teachers are very understanding. Would definitely recommend
Rebecca Rose
Oct 25, 2019
Report
Couldn’t recommend this nursery anymore, lovely staff, lovely setting! They helped my little boy so much! BEST NURSERY EVER!
Eileen Gracey
Jul 01, 2019
Report
My granddaughter attended Knowles Nursery while living under difficult circumstances. The staff went above and beyond to support both child and parent. It makes me sad that she leaves in July to start full time school as I know 100% she will not ever get the same loving caring support. The staff are amazing friendly and caring and I thank them all deeply for the support.
Mrs. M.
Jun 10, 2018
Report
My eldest daughter attended Knowles nursery school, I looked at a few different ones but this was the only one that stood out. The space for the children is fantastic, the garden is beautiful with lots for the children to do. My daughter achieved so much with the help of the great teachers and staff. My youngest now attends here and I honestly couldn't fault them with a single thing. I would definitely recommend this nursery :) Well done Knowles
Raynor Pickering
Mar 22, 2018
Report
My granddaughter is 2 nearly 3 goes here she absolutely loves this place even on a weekend she wants to go nursery
