DISCOVERY dAYS
A World of Discovery
Give your young child their first experience of school, filled with learning, play and endless possibility.
For children 2 to 5 years old.
About your child's discovery day
A first experience of school, designed around your child.
Taking your child’s first steps into school is an important milestone.
You want them to feel happy, safe and confident, while experiencing an environment that encourages their curiosity, independence and provides opportunities.
A Discovery Day is complimentary and gives your child the chance to experience exactly that.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The Discovery Day is designed to feel welcoming, engaging and full of opportunity. Throughout the morning, your child will become part of our Early Years community through five discovery experiences.
Begin the morning by meeting our Early Years team and settling gently into our community of young learners.
Take part in purposeful play and carefully planned Early Years experiences that encourage language and communication, cognitive, physical and social-emotional development.
Experience our purpose-built outdoor learning environment and Forest School, building confidence, independence and curiosity beyond the classroom.
Learn alongside other children, build relationships and experience the routines and independence of being part of a school community.
Finish the morning positively, celebrating new experiences, achievements and everything your child has discovered.
There is nothing to prepare and no expectations to meet. A Discovery Day is about getting to know your child, helping them feel confident in a school environment and giving them the freedom to play, learn and discover.
What is included
A supported and seamless first experience of school, giving your child the confidence to take those important first steps while giving you the reassurance that they are known, supported and cared for throughout.
Discovery Days are complimentary.
Your child will experience our dedicated Early Years environment, thoughtfully designed to support independence, curiosity, creativity and purposeful learning from the moment they arrive.
Your child will spend their morning with our experienced Early Years team, including qualified teachers who bring professional knowledge of child development, learning and the important transition into school.
Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, children are encouraged to investigate, create, communicate and follow their curiosity. Our teachers observe and respond to children’s interests, creating meaningful opportunities for learning rather than directing every moment of their day.
Your child will experience our Forest School and outdoor environment, with opportunities to investigate the natural world, take appropriate risks, solve problems and develop confidence and independence through first-hand experiences.
Our Early Years team takes time to understand how your child communicates, what captures their curiosity and how they engage with new experiences, helping them feel recognised, supported and included throughout their morning.
From a gentle arrival to learning alongside other children, your child experiences the rhythms and relationships of a school environment — helping them begin to build familiarity, confidence and independence ahead of their own starting-school journey.
How we know your child
Every child is unique. Aligned to the EYFS Key Person Approach, your child will be supported by a consistent, trusted member of our Early Years team. They take time to know your child, understand their individual needs and help them feel safe.
observe
We notice what captures their curiosity.
Through play, learning and exploration, our experienced Early Years team observes how your child engages with their environment, approaches new experiences and interacts with the world around them.
listen
Your child’s voice helps shape their experience.
We listen to their ideas, interests and communication — giving them the time and space to express themselves in the way that feels most natural to them.
respond
We adapt the experience around the child in front of us.
Our qualified teachers respond to what they see and hear, introducing opportunities that encourage your child to explore further, build confidence and take their next step when they are ready.
Together, the result is a child who feels safe enough to be independent, confident enough to participate and supported enough to discover more.
What parents discovered
My daughter was happy at nursery. The Discovery Day showed me that she was ready for a more established, learning-focused school environment.
NURSERY PARENT
We were more nervous than my son was. We weren’t ready but he was, and the Discovery Day proved it.
FIRST-TIME PARENT
A Discovery Day gave us complete confidence that our son was ready for his next step.
CURRENT ENROLLED PARENT
THEY’RE READY
A message from our
Executive Head of School
As parents, it can be difficult to know when your child is ready to take their first steps into school. Young children are often more capable, adaptable and independent than we realise. Our responsibility as educators is to create the environment in which they can show you.
A Discovery Day gives your child that opportunity. With the support of our experienced Early Years team, they can experience a school environment for themselves — building confidence, independence and a sense of belonging through learning and play.
The best way to know they are ready is to give them the opportunity to take it.
“Letting go for the first time isn’t easy. But given the right environment and support, young children often show us they’re more ready than we realised.”
SALLY DAVIS
Everything you need to know
What is a Discovery Day?
A Discovery Day gives your child the opportunity to experience school life at Clare House School Porthcawl and become part of our Early Years community for a morning.
For many young children, this may be their first opportunity to experience a school environment, moving beyond nursery or childcare and discovering the routines, relationships, learning and independence that come with starting school.
From the moment they arrive, your child will be welcomed into our Early Years setting to play, learn, explore and discover alongside our qualified teachers and children.
Who are Discovery Days for?
Discovery Days are for children aged 2 to 5 years old who would benefit from experiencing our Early Years provision and discovering what life at Clare House School Porthcawl could be like.
Each morning is designed around the needs of young children and provides a gentle, welcoming introduction to a school environment.
Why should my child attend a Discovery Day?
A Discovery Day gives your child something that is difficult to recreate anywhere else: the opportunity to experience school for themselves and show you what they are ready for.
Across five discoveries, your child will experience new relationships, purposeful learning, greater independence and life within a school community.
Supported by our experienced Early Years team, they can build confidence, explore their curiosity and discover what they are capable of in an environment designed around young children.
You don’t have to assume they’re ready. Give them the opportunity to show you.
Can children with an identified or suspected additional learning need take part?
We will make your child’s Discovery Day to be as accessible as reasonably possible.
If your child has an identified or suspected additional learning need, please tell us when completing the booking form and share any information that may help us understand how best to support them. Our team will consider this before confirming the Discovery Day and, where appropriate, discuss with you any adjustments that may help your child participate.
Clare House School Porthcawl is not a specialist additional learning needs provision, and the Discovery Day is not a specialist or diagnostic service. It cannot diagnose an additional learning need, replace a specialist assessment or provide recommendations that require specialist clinical or educational expertise.
Depending on the nature and level of your child’s needs, there may be circumstances where the Discovery Day cannot provide an appropriate or meaningful experience. Where this is the case, we will discuss this with you openly before confirming the booking.
Our priority is to ensure that the Discovery Day is appropriate, accessible and valuable for your child’s future learning.
Is my child ready?
Yes. Young children are often more capable, adaptable and resilient than we expect.
Our experienced Early Years team understands the starting school journey and knows how to support children taking their first steps into a school environment. From saying goodbye at the door to joining their first activity, building relationships and becoming comfortable with new routines, your child will be supported throughout.
Discovery Days have been designed specifically with this experience in mind. There is no expectation that every child will settle in the same way or at the same pace.
It is also natural for parents to feel uncertain about that first separation. Children can often surprise us with the confidence and independence they demonstrate once their morning begins.
If you feel your child would benefit from becoming familiar with Clare House School Porthcawl alongside you first, our weekly Play & Learn Club offers a gentle introduction. Our play-based group is for babies and toddlers and gives younger children and their parents the opportunity to spend time in our environment before taking the next step to a Discovery Day. Play & Learn Club spaces are limited and advance booking is required.
What will my child experience?
Your child will become part of our Early Years community for the morning.
They will experience a Reggio Emilia inspired setting combined with purposeful play, early learning, stories and language, creativity, outdoor exploration and Forest School. This is complimented alongside the everyday routines and relationships of our Early Years provision.
The emphasis is on allowing your child to experience Clare House School Porthcawl naturally — becoming comfortable, building confidence and discovering learning through play, exploration and interaction.
Is a Discovery Day a test or assessment?
No. A Discovery Day is not a test or assessment.
It is an opportunity for your child to experience Clare House School Porthcawl in an age-appropriate and enjoyable way, while our Early Years team takes the time to get to know them as an individual.
A Discovery Day is separate from the admissions process and your child does not need to apply to Clare House School Porthcawl to take part.
Who will look after my child?
Your child will be welcomed and supported throughout the morning by our experienced Early Years teaching and learning team who are qualified teachers.
Our team will help your child settle into the environment, build relationships and become involved in the morning at their own pace.
My child can be shy or take time to settle. Is a Discovery Day suitable?
Yes. Every child responds differently to a new environment, particularly when experiencing a school setting for the first time.
Our Early Years team will take time to understand your child, help them feel safe and encourage them to become involved at a pace that feels comfortable for them.
The purpose of a Discovery Day is to provide a positive first experience of school.
Does taking part mean we have to apply to the school?
No. There is no obligation to apply to Clare House School Porthcawl following a Discovery Day.
The experience is to support your family in considering your child’s future learning.
How much does a Discovery Day cost?
Discovery Days are complimentary. There is no fee to attend and no obligation to apply for a place at Clare House School Porthcawl.
Can I stay with my child?
Yes. Parents can remain on campus during the Discovery Day whilst their child participates in our Early Years provision.
Your child will be supported by our Early Years team throughout the morning, giving them the opportunity to experience the environment independently. They will begin building relationships with our teachers and develop confidence within the school setting.
What time does the day start and finish?
For children aged 2 to 2 years and 11 months, a Discovery Day is limited to 2 hours from 10:00am until 12:00pm.
For children aged 3 to 5, a Discovery Day is ordinarily from 10:00am until 12:00pm, though this may be extended depending on your child’s stage of development.
When can I book a Discovery Day?
You can book a Discovery Day at anytime.
Discovery Days are held every Tuesday during term time, subject to availability.
How do I book a Discovery Day?
Complete and submit the short form on this web page and a member of our team will be in touch to confirm the arrangements with you.
Before the day, we’ll also take some time to learn more about your child, their educational journey and your family’s context, helping our teachers understand what matters to you and make the day as relevant and personalised as possible.
Once the arrangements are confirmed, you will be asked to accept the offer of a complimentary Discovery Day.
My child is not fully toilet trained. Can they still attend?
Yes. We recognise that children develop independence with toileting at different stages.
Please share your child’s current routine with us beforehand so our Early Years team can understand their needs and provide appropriate support during the morning.
If your child requires support to manage their toileting, we ask that you remain on campus during the Discovery Day.
How many children take part?
We welcome a maximum of two children to attend each Discovery Day.
Keeping each day intentionally small ensures every child receives significant individual attention and interaction with our teaching team throughout their time with us.
Is food provided during the day?
Yes. Children will be offered a morning fresh fruit platter.
Please let us know about any allergies or dietary requirements when arranging your child’s Discovery Day.
What should my child wear?
Your child should wear comfortable, practical clothing suitable for a busy morning of learning, play and exploration.
Please also bring suitable outdoor and wet-weather clothing, as your child will have the opportunity to experience our Forest School and outdoor learning environment.
Where does the Discovery Day take place?
Discovery Days are held in our purpose-built Early Years environment at Clare House School Porthcawl, Newton, Porthcawl CF36 5AS.
If I apply, does a Discovery Day guarantee my child a place at the school?
No. Attending a Discovery Day does not guarantee an offer of a place at Clare House School Porthcawl.
If you subsequently decide that you would like your child to join us, you can submit an application through our admissions process. There is no fee to apply.
The start of something remarkable
Your child leaves with more than a first experience of school.
They leave having taken an important step towards confidence, independence and belonging — discovering what they are capable of in an environment designed to help them thrive.
Give them the opportunity to show you they’re ready.
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