Tenderlinks Day Nursery - Elstead
At Tenderlinks Elstead, we embrace the Curiosity Approach and are proud to be working towards full accreditation. This inspiring ethos is rooted in fostering curiosity, awe, and wonder during early childhood. Our environment is carefully designed to feel like a home away from home, filled with natural and authentic resources that ignite imagination, encourage independence, and promote rich, hands-on experiences.
Children are at the heart of everything we do. We believe in following their interests and enabling them to take the lead in their own learning. Our knowledgeable and attentive practitioners skilfully observe and understand each child as an individual, offering thoughtfully planned learning invitations that spark engagement and inspire exploration in the moment.
Our vision is to nurture happy, confident, and independent learners. As a smaller, close-knit setting, we take pride in truly knowing every child. This allows us to provide tailored care and learning experiences that help each child flourish, grow, and thrive—laying strong foundations for their journey beyond nursery.
Our mission is to empower children to:
Become confident, curious, and capable learners
Build resilience and embrace new challenges
Communicate effectively and respectfully
Celebrate their uniqueness and grow at their own pace
Located in the heart of the charming village of Elstead, our nursery boasts a purpose-built garden that offers free-flow access for our older children—blending seamlessly with our indoor learning environment.
We also make the most of our beautiful surroundings. Just a short walk away, children can explore the local playing field, park, and woodland. These natural spaces support holistic development, building confidence, self-esteem, and a connection to the world through hands-on, child-led adventures in nature.
The Curiosity Approach Accreditation
Tenderlinks Elstead is proud to be embarking on an exciting journey to become the very first Tenderlinks nursery to achieve accreditation with The Curiosity Approach™.
This inspiring approach is more than a pedagogy—it’s a philosophy rooted in creating beautiful, meaningful environments that spark imagination, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. Our aim is to nurture the “thinkers and doers” of the future by providing spaces that encourage exploration, independence, and joyful discovery.
Our nursery is enriched with natural, authentic materials and open-ended resources—often referred to as loose parts—that invite children to engage in hands-on, real-world experiences. We believe that children shouldn’t have to wait until tomorrow or next week to ask their questions. Instead, we empower them to explore, wonder, and learn in the moment.
It’s in these precious moments of curiosity, effort, or awe—the teachable moments—that our skilled practitioners step in with care and intention, guiding each child’s learning journey in a way that is both personal and powerful.
Join us as we lead the way, creating an environment where curiosity is celebrated, and children are inspired to flourish.
Throughout an average day your child will engage in a wide range of activities such as some of those listed below:
Phonics
Number
Shape
Problem solving
Reading / Story time
Messy play
Role play / Dressing up
Nature walks
Sand and water play
Gluing and sticking
Sport
Cooking
Music
Singing
Gardening
French
Dance
A typical day:
8.00am – 8.30am
Arrival and Breakfast.
8.30am – 9.00am
Registration and circle time
9.00am – 11.15am
Morning lessons and activities / outings / specialist sessions (snack at 10.00am)
11.15am – 11.45am
Lunch
12.00pm – 2.00pm
Naps / Quiet time or activities for older children
2.00 – 4.30 pm
Afternoon lessons and activities / outings / specialist sessions (snack at 2.15pm)
4.00pm – 4.30pm
Tea
4.45pm – 6.00pm
Story time /Free play and home time
Specialist teacher sessions:
As part of the broad curriculum we offer at Tenderlinks the children take part in weekly specialist led sessions of Dance, Music, and Sport.
''Pitch Pals is so much more than just another football coaching provider. We are on a mission to harness the power of football and physical activity to develop, encourage and inspire children of all ages and abilities. Offering a full range of programmes including Early Years/KS1 sessions, School and Nursery clubs, through to Holiday Camps and Events/Parties, we have something for everyone.
Our Nursery programme has been designed to bridge the gap between Early Years settings and Primary Schools, maximising the children's energy and giving them a positive introduction to sport and physical activity. Using a semi-structured, fun-based learning model, children will learn a variety of skills through a range of innovative, action-packed games and activities. We will develop coordination, cognitive and motor skills, whilst encouraging team work, self-confidence and all-important social skills.
The sessions will help prepare children for their transition into Primary Schools and the curriculum they will encounter. Using age-appropriate equipment and incorporating numbers, colours and letters the children will be learning through play and guided discovery''
Using age-appropriate equipment and incorporating numbers, colours and letters the children will be learning through play and guided discovery.
About our Team
Nursery Manager: Amanda Vaus
Hello, I am Amanda the manager at Tenderlinks Nursery in Elstead. I have 27 years of nursery experience including 20 years of management. I am NVQ and Montessori trained and had experience teaching and managing in private nurseries as well as in an independent school as Head of Years and Nursery manager giving me a wealth of experience to ensure your child has a fantastic experience whilst in our care.
My amazing team are fully committed to working with children providing a loving and nurturing nursery, I truly believe that children learn best when we follow their interests and teach in the moment offering exciting invitations to learn using as many natural resources and loose parts as we can.
In my free time, I love to spend time with my children and four grandchildren along with husband and two springer spaniels who love to find the wettest and muddiest puddles they can!
I look forward to meeting and welcoming you to Tenderlinks at Elstead.
The Pavilion
Beacon View Road
Elstead
Godalming
GU8 6DU
01252 703593