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Nursery at Rookwood School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Balance beams, Mexican dance and children managing their own wet-weather clothing give Little Rooks its character: learning through movement, conversation and growing independence. This is Rookwood School’s nursery in Andover, within the school’s early years section for ages 2 to 5. In January 2026, 66 children attended the Nursery. That is an attendance figure, rather than a capacity.
Little Rooks also admits younger children, but the provision for babies from 6 months to 24 months is separately registered and was outside this ISI inspection’s scope. The findings here concern the school’s early years provision.
Choice is part of the day. In January 2026, children chose activities and moved between them independently, while learning to share equipment and wait their turn. Familiar routines helped them move safely around school. Putting on and removing their own waterproof clothing made independence a practical task, rather than just an aspiration.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together early learning and children’s development. Here, classroom and outdoor activities cover the required learning areas, with adult conversations developing language and phonics helping children connect sounds with words. Resources are selected around children’s interests to develop both smaller hand movements and larger physical skills. ISI’s inspection of 20 to 22 January 2026 found good progress across the early years learning areas.
Outside, wheeled toys, climbing apparatus, balls and balance beams give children ways to practise jumping, running and balance. These are concrete opportunities to develop coordination. Indoors, role play introduces exchanging money for goods. Mexican culture also featured through food, imaginative play and a dance activity, linking movement with learning about other people’s lives.
Daily contact keeps families involved. In January 2026, early years staff communicated online and face to face with parents, and had established trusting relationships with families. Staff discussions also tracked each child’s development against the early learning goals, connecting everyday care with an understanding of progress.
Supervision has a clear standard: early years children remain within an adult’s hearing or view. Staff working in early years have paediatric first aid training. For families, these are specific safeguards behind the nursery day.
Food is part of the later session, with snacks included between 4pm and 6pm. Funded childcare hours themselves carry no additional charge, but meals, consumables such as wipes and nappies, activities and hours beyond the entitlement may attract charges. Families should obtain current charges from the school and check how these apply to their chosen pattern.
Nursery attendance gives Reception priority after siblings of existing pupils; other applicants follow in registration-date order. It does not guarantee a place. Children do not move into Reception automatically, and parents must separately arrange entry with the school and formally accept an offered place.
Reception places are limited, and an offer of progression can be withdrawn once capacity is reached. Acceptance also requires the main school registration fee and an increase in the deposit. Families planning to stay should therefore treat Reception as a separate decision and complete the school’s acceptance process.
Year-round care runs from 8am to 6pm, with attendance booked for three to five days each week. The nursery operates for 51 weeks, with annual fees divided into 12 monthly payments. Term-time sessions also operate. Bank holidays and staff training closures need to be factored into childcare planning; monthly charges include closure days, and sickness or holidays do not bring refunds.
Funding includes 15 hours for all children aged 3 and 4, 30 hours for eligible working families, and places for eligible 2-year-olds. Over 51 weeks, the stretched equivalents are 11.18 and 22.35 hours weekly respectively. Eligibility codes and the required paperwork must be supplied in good time.
Enquiries go through the school’s joining form, and private tours can be arranged through the admissions team. In January 2026, missing required information for parents was supplied during the inspection; ensuring parents receive all required information remained a recommended action.
It covers ages 2 to 5. Little Rooks also admits younger children, with a separately registered setting for babies aged 6 months to 24 months.
Year-round care runs from 8am to 6pm for three to five days a week. Term-time sessions also operate.
Yes. Across 51 weeks, 30 funded hours become 22.35 hours weekly, while 15 become 11.18. Eligibility conditions apply, and additional items or hours may attract charges.
No. Nursery children have priority after existing pupils’ siblings, but entry requires separate arrangements and formal acceptance. Places remain subject to capacity.
Complete the school’s joining enquiry form. The admissions team can arrange a private tour.
