Welcome to Ivytree Nursery Ham

Dear parents and friends,

As of September 2024, Ivytree Nursery is pleased to announce they have taken over Kish Kindergarten. New website in process. Please follow the link to see where we started at Ivytreenursery.co.uk

We will follow the outdoor/forest school approach to learning. We have an extensive garden and access to Ham woods. We also have English and German teaching staff, to continue bilingual learning for children.

We are very pleased that you are interested in learning more about the nursery through our website. Here you will find details of our educational ethos, and our routine. But, it is also important that you view your child’s future nursery in person – So please feel free to get in touch to arrange a visit!

We are a day nursery with a focus on nature education and outdoor learning.

With our pedagogical ethos we support children on their path to becoming open, honest, friendly and expressive personalities.

Early Years Funding is available.

Our ethos

We are excited to share our concept with you. Many different educational approaches, learning theories and psychological strategies merge to form our ethos.

Here is a short summary of our well established concept. If you are interested to read more, we are happy to share all details with you!

Feel valued as an individual
Learn through play
A safe and stimulating environment
Grow, at your own pace
Build positive relationships
Enjoy the company of other children
Become independent
Be part of a community
Learn a second language
Explore and learn from nature

Nature concept

Nature-based learning focuses on the holistic development of the child. Nature encourages children to be physical and to develop through lots of activities both fine and gross motor skills.
We spend time outdoors on a daily basis – in any weather – and enjoy different seasons either in our garden or in the neighbouring woodland. Equipped with the perfect outfit of waterproof trousers, rain coats and welly boots we are ready to explore our environment and learn from it.

Languages

We are proud to have a bilingual team teaching in either German or English. The children within our group come from many language backgrounds and most of them already experience two or more languages within their families. Speaking one’s home language is crucial for conveying social and emotional understanding. This approach is highly valued by our team, who speak to the children in their main language.
All our traditions and routine changes are supported in both languages: tidy up songs, circle time activities, register time, birthdays, hello songs, finger- and action games. As we all know children are active learners. Therefore, all our language activities are based on visuals, hands-on experiences: messy play, music, experiments and food activities.

Early years foundation stage

Each child is seen and accepted as an individual and we aim to pay tribute to their needs and their level of development. In the daily routine, in free play, and in specifically planned activities, the children’s way of life, as well as their individualism have absolute priority.

We encourage the children to create their own experiences, to expand their horizons, to develop specific abilities and skills, to help them to understand their world and to assist them in finding their place in their environment.
Within the group, children learn to make positive social contacts, value each other’s views and gain experiences in sharing, turn-taking, and collaboration. With an emphasis on continuous improvement and development, we work with the children to develop their linguistic, physical, and mental abilities.

Meet the teachers

Experts in giving your children best start

What parent say

Our daughter is in her second year at KISH and our 28month old son just started. I truly don’t know how to express how happy we are with the children there. Katharina and the team enable every child to grow confidently and independently and explore the world in it‘s natural state while in a safe and loving environment and learning at their pace. The care and attention the children get and specific to individual needs is, I believe, unique to KISH. I’ll be very sad when the children have to move from KISH but I know that when they do they will have been given the best tools to thrive outside of KISH. Thank you isn‘t enough!

KISH Kindergarten is a very special place close to our hearts! Our daughter had an amazing time, learning both German and English and enjoying the creative way the kindergarten operates. She particularly liked messy play, the outdoorsy environment alongside with Toy Free week! All of this and many more activities advanced her curiosity, creativity and the ability to express herself in a well thought manner. Katharina and the team are wonderful and with the place being superbly organized and children’s meals freshly cooked we couldn’t ask for more. Massive thank you to all!

KISH Kindergarten has been the best start our children could have - the team live the KISH values for and with the children and this together with the outdoor concept KISH has been a wonderful and meaningful part of their lives that will stay with all four of them for the rest of their lives. It has brought them a kind and thoughtful understanding of relationships with peers and adults and a deep connection to the outside, the world around us and peace and expression in exploring, imaginative play and arts and crafts both with any and all materials! The children are incredibly well and thoughtfully cared for and truly become a community and family to each other, staff and parents. Thank you KISH 🙏 😊 ❤️ 🌳 🍂

We have had all 3 of our children go to KISH and we cannot say enough good things about the team and the program. The girls were able to experience forest adventures, toy free weeks, arts and crafts, music and fun learning which encouraged them to become more confident, independent, and ready for their formal school years that followed. Our girls were sad to leave their KISH family behind as they moved into School but hold so many fond memories. We highly recommend the whole KISH crew!

Had all 3 kids with the KISH Team over the years. If all children could visit KISH society would have less problems in the future. Perfect start for kids with grounded teachers who have their heads at the right places. The perfect balance between exposure to nature and ever lasting values. Keep going.

Our sessions

Morning session

8.30am – 1pm
5 days / week
Termly fees (3 terms/year)

Learn more…

Afternoon sessions

1pm – 4.30/5.30/6pm
Flexible admission
Monthly fees

Learn more…

Our 3 – 4 year olds receive 15h Early Education Funding (EEF). Outstanding hours are then invoiced to parents.
Eligible children receiving the extended EEF can then extend the funded hours up to 25h/week.
We are happy to talk you through the fee structure and payment potions during a visit!