A bespoke, woodland-inspired nursery designed to spark exploration, independence, and learning from birth to age four.
Designing a Nursery Where Every Child Can Thrive - Phase 1Jubilee Primary School Maidstone, Kent
CASE STUDY
The Vision: A Room for Every Stage
Jubilee Primary School is a thriving, growing community in Maidstone known for its inclusive ethos and commitment to providing high-quality provision. When the school decided to launch its first nursery room - the first of three planned spaces - the brief was ambitious: create a single, harmonious environment that safely and effectively serves children from birth to age four. The goal was to move away from traditional, fragmented nursery layouts in favour of a "zoned" approach. This required a centrepiece that could anchor the room while providing diverse functional areas for the wide age range of the children.
The Collaboration: Designing with Imagination
Metric Education’s approach to learning spaces is grounded in research-led insight and a deep understanding of how visual and tactile elements influence behaviour and wellbeing. To bring this vision to life, Metric Education’s Specialist, Caroline Izard, worked closely with the school’s leadership team. Caroline conducted several on-site visits to measure the space and discuss the specific pedagogical needs of the Jubilee community. This collaborative phase was critical; Caroline worked hand-in-hand with Metric’s design team to produce imaginative 3D visuals. These renders allowed the school to see exactly how the room would function before a single piece of furniture was manufactured, ensuring every specification met the school’s high standards and stayed strictly within the set budget.
See our Insights Guide on Early Years Design
The Focal Point: The Woodland Unit
The heart of the new nursery is a bespoke fitted storage unit designed with a beautiful woodland aesthetic, creating a striking focal point for the entire learning space. Loose furniture is intentionally arranged around the unit to establish a natural flow throughout the room while supporting a variety of learning activities. This multi-functional feature incorporates a cosy sensory hideout, providing a comfortable “snuggle” space where children can retreat with a book, reflecting the school’s commitment to quiet reading and personal reflection. It also includes integrated technology in the form of a built-in interactive screen, which is used for both teacher-led learning and the communication of important nursery notices to parents and staff. To support focused group work and collaborative activities, a built-in desk is positioned on the right-hand side of the unit. In addition, the design maximises practicality through smart storage solutions, including secure locking compartments with trays for sensitive educational resources, as well as specialised shelving for folding beds and cleaning equipment, ensuring the main floor area remains clear, organised, and safe for children.
The Result: A Seamless Transformation
The installation process was executed to a high standard, seamlessly blending the bespoke fitted elements with high-quality loose furniture. The result is a vibrant, modern space that nurtures independence and exploration for the youngest learners. By creating a focal point that combines functional storage with sensory-rich play areas, Metric Education helped Jubilee Primary School establish a flagship nursery environment. As the nursery grows and the remaining two rooms open, this first space stands as a blueprint for how thoughtful design can empower both teachers and children to thrive.
Designing a Nursery Where Every Child Can Thrive - Phase 1Jubilee Primary School Maidstone, Kent
Think we're a good fit for you?
If you’re exploring how to create learning environments that truly support your vision, booking a free consultation with Metric is a great place to start. It’s an opportunity for us to listen closely, understand your goals, and bring our educational insight to the challenges you’re facing. Together, we can explore whether our approach, experience, and design philosophy are the right fit for the future you want to build.
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