Small beginnings. Strong foundations.
Where confidence grows, curiosity is encouraged, and every child is truly known.
Ages 3-5
Small, nurturing class sizes
Forest & Beach School every week
Experienced Early Years team
EARLY YEARS AT CLARE HOUSE
This isn’t just where your child starts school — it’s where they begin to love learning.
Your child is welcomed into an environment that balances nurturing care with high-quality early education.
Every day includes gentle routines, rich play, outdoor discovery and supportive adults who understand how young children learn best. Children leave Early Years confident, independent and genuinely excited for what comes next.
OUR APPROACH
How your child learns
Here’s what that actually looks like day to day…
Play with Purpose
Children explore ideas, use language and make sense of the world through carefully designed play. Every activity is intentional — whether they’re building, storytelling, imagining or problem-solving.
Inspired by Reggio Emilia
Our spaces are calm, beautiful and designed to spark curiosity. Children express themselves through art, movement, music and construction, guided by adults who observe and extend their thinking.
Forest & Beach School
With 11 acres of grounds and Porthcawl’s coastline on our doorstep, outdoor learning happens every week. Nature is not a treat here — it’s part of how children learn.
HERE'S WHAT YOUR CHILD'S DAY MIGHT FEEL LIKE...
A day in early years
A gentle morning welcome
Outdoor exploration
Group time, stories and songs
Snack and social time
Specialist lessons
Forest or Beach School
Quiet time or reflection
Free flow play and continuous provision
Every day balances energy, calm, curiosity and comfort — in a setting designed for your child to thrive. It’s structured enough to feel safe, and flexible enough to feel joyful.
THE KEY PERSON APPROACH
Every child known.
Every family valued.
Every child has a key person — a trusted adult who builds a close, secure relationship with them and their family.
This means emotional security, personalised support, consistent communication and a deep understanding of your child’s individual needs. It’s the anchor of their Early Years experience.
You’ll know exactly who they are — and they’ll know your child.
Lauren Hallihan
Early Years Leader
CURRICULUM
Foundations for lifelong learning
Following the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, children achieve key developmental milestones.
Social-Emotional
Your child learns to understand and manage their emotions, building resilience, empathy and confidence with the support of trusted adults.
Physical
Daily movement and outdoor play build the physical skills your child needs — coordination, balance and the fine motor abilities that underpin writing and focused learning.
Cognitive
Your child begins linking ideas, noticing patterns and making predictions. These are the early reasoning skills that form the foundation for future academic progress.
Language & Communication
Through stories, songs and rich conversation, your child develops the vocabulary, listening skills and early literacy foundations that will carry them through school and beyond.
PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS
Working together - because children flourish when school and home are in partnership
We build strong relationships through daily communication, shared celebrations of learning, open conversations about progress, family workshops and opportunities for you to be involved in school life. Together, we create a community where every child feels known and supported.
FREE EARLY YEARS GUIDE
Discover everything about Early Years at Clare House School
Inside our free Early Years Guide: what a day looks like, our curriculum philosophy, Forest & Beach School, settling in, the Key Person approach and how we prepare your child for Year 1. No obligation — just clear, reassuring information delivered to your inbox.
COME AND VISIT US
Play & Learn Club
Our weekly Play & Learn sessions are a gentle, low-commitment way to experience Early Years at Clare House School Porthcawl. Led by our qualified and experienced Early Years educator — open to children aged 0 to 3.
Book a Play Pass for only £4 per session.
Places are now limited for Term 1.
If you would like to join a session that is fully booked, you can join our waitlist by emailing info@clarehouseschool.org.
For babies – a gentle sensory experience including songs, stories, sensory exploration and calm circle time designed to support early communication, movement and curiosity.
For toddlers – A play-based experience with themed activity stations including sensory trays, creative crafts, water and sand play, music, movement, stories and rhyme time. Activities are designed to encourage confidence, language development and fine motor skills through play.
Every session includes:
- Welcome and goodbye songs
- A themed story
- Carefully planned sensory and play activities
- Music and movement
- Time for children to explore and learn through play
For our toddlers, a light snack is provided and there is always time for parents and carers to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a friendly chat.
Sessions run weekly during term time at Clare House School Porthcawl with free parking available on-site.
Our groups are intentionally kept small to create a calm, friendly environment where children can explore and parents can connect.
Settling in
A supportive start
We understand that starting school is a significant milestone. Our settling-in process is designed at a pace that feels right for your child — with phased starts when needed, time for parents to stay, and regular communication throughout.
A seamless path
into Year 1
As a through-school, your child moves into Year 1 gradually and confidently. They meet new teachers, explore new spaces and build familiarity through shared experiences — so the transition feels secure and exciting, not abrupt.
WHAT PARENTS SAY
You're not the only one asking these questions…
We were quite nervous about starting, but the way they supported our child (and us) made such a difference. Within a few weeks they were excited to go in each morning — that says everything
Early Years Parent
It doesn’t feel like a typical classroom — it’s calm, creative and thoughtful. You can see how much care goes into how the children learn, not just what they learn.
Early Years Parent
Knowing there’s someone who really understands your child is incredibly reassuring. Communication is always open, and you genuinely feel part of it.
Early Years Parent
Start your child's journey with us
Your child’s Early Years experience should feel joyful, safe and full of possibility. At Clare House School, it is.