Potter’s House Preschool is an outdoor-focused setting based at the 1st Yapton and Ford Scout Hut, set within an acre of beautiful natural space. We welcome children aged 3–5 and offer a unique early years experience where learning is rooted in nature, curiosity, and meaningful play.

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As a Forest School, our outdoor environment is central to everything we do. Children have the opportunity to explore, take managed risks, and build confidence and self-esteem while developing strong language skills and a genuine love of the natural world. Our Forest School sessions are carefully planned in age-appropriate groups and are often inspired by seasonal stories, which guide our activities and bring learning to life. From woodwork and woodland exploration to fire-building, cooking, and warming hot chocolate together, children gain independence, resilience, and teamwork skills in a safe and supportive setting.

All Forest School sessions are led by two Level 3 qualified Forest School leaders, supported by a Forest School assistant, ensuring children are always closely supervised and that risks are thoughtfully managed.

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Alongside our outdoor learning, we are deeply committed to preparing children for their transition into primary school. Guided by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), we provide a careful balance of structured learning and child-led free play, tailored to each child’s individual needs. We use online learning journals to track progress and share developmental assessments with receiving schools, helping new teachers understand each child’s learning journey.

As children approach their move to Reception, we gently introduce elements of school life to build familiarity and confidence. This includes using school-style reward systems, reading books and playing games about school, meeting new teachers, visiting local schools, and taking part in community events such as sports days.

Our highly experienced and passionate team bring warmth, skill, and intuition to every child’s early years, ensuring they feel safe, supported, and excited about learning. We work closely with local primary schools to ensure transitions are smooth, positive, and natural.

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Watching our children take their next steps into “big school” is a proud and emotional moment. While we miss them dearly, we love celebrating their achievements and marking this milestone with a special graduation ceremony shared with their families—sending them forward confident, capable, and ready for their next chapter.