We are delighted that you are interested in sending your son or daughter to King Edward’s Pre-Prep and Nursery and we aim to help you with your decision as well as making the process as friendly and straightforward as possible.
Children join us in the September after they turn three years old for their ‘pre-school year’, before moving up to our Reception class. Initially, parents and guardians are invited to visit, either at one of our open days or on an individual tour. An application can then be made after which, your child will be invited to a ‘stay and play’ session (Nursery and Reception) or a taster day (Years 1 and 2). We are very aware that some children may be daunted when going into a new environment during this session, so we will do all we can to ensure that they are made to feel comfortable and welcome in our friendly school.
When we offer places, we are looking for children with a thirst for knowledge and a curiosity about the world. We look for and note whether children are inquisitive, display attention skills, are persistent and show initiative. We look at the whole child, assessing a broad range of personal, physical, linguistic, and number skills appropriate to their level of development. It is understood that children come to us with differing pre-school and school experiences, and at various stages of development.
If you are thinking of sending your son or daughter to our Pre-Prep, please do come and visit. Our Headteacher, Jayne Gilbert, would be delighted to take you on a tour of the School and introduce you to our staff and children and hear all about your child.
You can find out more about our open days or arrange a personal visit by contacting our Admissions department on [email protected], telephone 01225 820399.
You can also request a prospectus.
ENTRY PROCESS FOR NURSERY AND RECEPTION STEP 1: Contact the Admissions department to discuss availability and arrange a meeting with the Head of the Pre-Prep.
STEP 2: Parents will be invited to complete the Online Application Form, which must be accompanied by a £100 non-refundable application fee.
STEP 3: The Admissions team will contact you to arrange a ‘stay and play’ session. This lasts approximately 45 minutes. A parent or carer must also be present.
STEP 4: The Head teacher will provide feedback and confirm whether we are able to offer a place.
STEP 5: If an offer is made, a contract will be issued. A place will confirmed by the School, once all paperwork has been returned and a £500 deposit paid. Please note that this deposit will be deducted from the child’s final account upon leaving the School.
ENTRY PROCESS FOR YEARS 1 AND 2 STEP 1: Contact the Admissions department to discuss availability and to arrange a meeting with the Head of the Pre-Prep.
STEP 2: Parents will be invited to complete the Online Application Form, which must be accompanied by a £100 non-refundable application fee.
STEP 3: The Admissions team will contact you to arrange a ‘taster day’. Your child will join their prospective classmates during a normal school day. The class teacher will listen to them read and ask them to complete a writing and Maths task.
STEP 4: The Head teacher will provide feedback and confirm whether we are able to offer a place.
STEP 5: If an offer is made, a contract will be issued. A place will confirmed by the School, once all paperwork has been returned and a £500 deposit paid. Please note that this deposit will be deducted from the child’s final account upon leaving the School.
EARLY YEARS ENTITLEMENT We accept the nursery funding for 15 and 30 hours. All three and four-year-old children are eligible for the universal funding to a maximum of 15 hours of Early Years Entitlement (EYE) per week, across 38 weeks of the year. However, you need to be aware that we can only offer the entitlement for the 36 weeks we are open. The entitlement becomes available for the three terms after their third and fourth birthdays. Please also note that we accept the extended 30 hours funding but parents/carers must meet the government criteria..
The funded provision that you will receive in Nursery and Reception represents classes that are staffed by qualified teachers, supported by very experienced teaching assistants and, in relation to legal requirements, we operate high staff to pupil ratios across the Early Years. For more information please visit: Childcare Choices | 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More | Help with Costs | GOV.UK
We will continue to charge you for ‘additional educational services’ that you receive over and above this free provision, as outlined below:
Our billing will ensure that you can clearly identify the funded hours and the cost of the additional educational services which are provided at King Edward’s.
The combination of the funded Early Years provision as enhanced by the additional educational services ensures an excellent Early Years education for your child and a firm foundation for their future learning.
If you have any further questions or queries regarding the above please do not hesitate to contact Ms Jayne Gilbert – the Head Teacher on 01225 421681.
We will co-ordinate the necessary paperwork for the 15 hours funding on your behalf and the nursery grant is deducted from your bill at source. Please be aware that you will need to apply on-line for the extended 30 hour funding, we will then receive a code that validates your entitlement.
If you have any further questions or queries regarding funding, please don’t hesitate to contact our Accounts department at [email protected]
PRE-PREP & NURSERY SCHOOL HOURS Please note: The Nursery operates term-time only, in line with the main school.
Before School Care is available at Teddy's Lodge from 8.00am – 8.40am
After School Care is available at Teddy's Lodge from 3.30pm – 5.45pm (latest)
For further details, please click here.
Before and After School Care Before School Care is available from 8.00am – 8.30am (£2.00 per morning)
After School Care is available from 3.15pm – 5.45pm (latest)
Nursery and Reception will be charged from 3.30pm (3.15-3.30pm free*)
Year 1 and 2 will be charged from 3.45pm (3.30-3.45pm free*).
Charges are set at the following rate: £2.00 per half hour.
*The first 15 minutes of After School Care is free for all pupils.
