Business Details
Trusted Nursery Education in Newtownabbey
Ballyhenry Nursery School has been dedicated to fostering early childhood development in a nurturing environment since its establishment. Our experienced team prioritises emotional wellbeing, creativity, and resilience, creating a strong foundation for children's educational journeys. We maintain open communication with parents and collaborate with professionals to tailor learning experiences to individual needs. Our 2015 Department of Education inspection recognised our 'very good' educational quality and 'outstanding' pastoral care.With two full-time classes and extensive outdoor facilities, we provide structured yet flexible programmes that encourage curiosity and confidence. Our testimonials highlight parents' appreciation for our supportive atmosphere, effective communication, and the visible progress children make during their time here. We remain committed to maintaining high standards through continuous improvement and community engagement.
Services
Early Years Education
Outdoor Play Activities
Parental Engagement Programmes
Curriculum Development
Child Care Services
Highlights and features
- We have two full-time classes with 26 pupils each, offering structured learning environments
- Our 2015 Department of Education inspection rated pastoral care as 'outstanding'
- Extensive outdoor play areas support active learning and development
- We maintain open communication with parents through daily updates and meetings
- Experienced staff implement curriculum programmes tailored to individual needs
What people say
Nurturing environment
Amazing staff
Confidence growth
Positive learning experience
Excellent communication
Services
Early Years Education
Our structured educational programmes follow the Northern Ireland Early Years Foundation Stage framework. We focus on developing core skills through play-based learning activities tailored to individual needs. Our experienced teachers create lesson plans that balance guided instruction with child-led exploration.
Outdoor Play Activities
Children benefit from daily access to our extensive outdoor play areas featuring age-appropriate equipment and natural spaces. These environments promote physical development, social interaction, and nature appreciation through supervised activities that balance safety with discovery.
Parental Engagement Programmes
We maintain regular communication through daily updates, progress reports, and parent-teacher meetings. Our 'Stay and Play' sessions allow families to experience classroom activities while building stronger home-school connections that support children's learning journeys.
Child Development Assessments
Staff conduct ongoing observations to track each child's progress across developmental areas. These assessments inform individual learning plans and help identify additional support needs, ensuring every child reaches their full potential during their nursery year.
Transition Preparation
Our curriculum includes activities designed to develop essential skills for primary school transition. Through structured routines, literacy and numeracy games, and social skills practice, we prepare children for the next stage of their educational journey.
People
Mrs Lyn Pollock
Principal
Mrs Pollock leads our dedicated team with over 20 years' experience in early years education. She oversees curriculum implementation, staff development, and maintains close communication with parents to ensure the highest standards of care and learning.
Mrs Kelly
Teaching Staff
Mrs Kelly contributes to our educational programmes with specialist expertise in child development. She works closely with parents to support individual learning needs while maintaining the high standards recognised in our Department of Education inspection.
Questions
What are your nursery session times?
Our full-time classes operate Monday-Friday from 9:00am to 1:30pm during term time.
How do you involve parents in learning?
We provide daily updates, progress reports, parent-teacher meetings, and 'Stay and Play' sessions to maintain strong home-school partnerships.
What outdoor facilities do you have?
Our extensive outdoor play areas include age-appropriate equipment, natural spaces, and supervised activity zones for physical development and exploration.
How do you support child development?
We use ongoing assessments to create individual learning plans that address each child's unique needs across all developmental areas.
What qualifications do your staff hold?
Our team includes qualified early years specialists with extensive experience in nursery education and child development.
How do you prepare children for primary school?
We focus on school readiness through structured routines, literacy/numeracy games, and social skills development to ensure smooth transitions to P1.
