Nursery and Pre-Prep
Nursery Acorns from 2.5 years old
Our youngest pupils, 'Acorns’, can join Nursery from 2.5 years old, however they must be 2.5 by the end of February of the same academic year. The minimum number of sessions an Acorn can attend are four a week – the equivalent of two full days or three mornings and an afternoon.
Nursery Oaks from 3 years old
Children who are already 3 and turn 4 within the academic year, can join St Andrew’s Nursery as an ‘Oak’. Oaks must attend a minimum of six sessions per week - the equivalent to three full days or five mornings and an afternoon.
As a registered childcare provider, we offer up to 15 hours free childcare per week between 8:30 and 11:30 am Monday to Friday (term-time only), the term after a child’s 3rd birthday until the end of their time in Nursery. For fees with and without funding and to check eligibility, click here.
Nursery School Day
Nursery mornings run from 8.30 am – 12.00 pm, or 1 pm with a home cooked lunch. Afternoon sessions run from 1.00 pm – 3.30 pm.
Age-appropriate specialist subjects are taught in the afternoons and include swimming in our 25-metre indoor pool (from the Summer Term for our Acorns), French, PE, Music and Dance. Acorns and Oaks also get plenty of time in our Nursery Garden and Nursery Woodland.
The school day can be extended until 5.00 pm (Late Club) or 5.50 pm (Late Tea Club).
Nursery 48 weeks of the year
We provide Nursery Holiday Camps, run by our staff, Monday to Friday - except bank holidays, two weeks over Christmas and six of our INSET days. They start at 8:00 am and finish at 5:00 pm. Older siblings can enjoy multi-activity camps hosted by our external provider, Next Level Camps.
Tree Tots and Swim Tots Toddler Groups
For children under 2.5 years old, we host a free outdoor toddler group, Tree Tots, held in our Nursery Woodland throughout the year, bookable online here.
We also host Swim Tots for toddlers and parents/carers, in our heated indoor 25m swimming pool. Run by our Head of Swimming, sessions cost £5 and can be booked online here.
Reception Curriculum
In Reception (aged 4 – 5) children learn with a mixture of child-initiated play and teacher-led learning opportunities. The Curriculum is divided into seven main areas, that build on the Nursery core provision and add specific learning: Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding of the World and Expressive Arts and Design. We actively encourage the growth of social skills and empathy towards others, in addition to a strong sense of self-belief and independence.
Learning for Year 1 and Year 2
In Years 1 and 2, life becomes a little more formal. However, emphasis is still placed on learning through hands-on experiences and is an integral part of the teaching.
In Key Stage 1, the children have weekly French, Music, PE, Swimming lessons and Forest School. The children in Year 2 also benefit from specialist teaching in ICT and group instrumental lessons. This, together with the increasing use of Prep school facilities, helps to ensure a smooth transition into Year 3.
Reception to Year 2 School Day
Full school days run from 8.15 am – 3.30 pm with the option of a fantastic array of co-curricular clubs that change every term and after school care. Click here for extended day activity prices
Our external provider, Next Level Camps, provide multi-activity camps in the holidays throughout the year.
