The Garden Nursery at Kingswood Preparatory School

Bicycles, stories and forest-school challenges give The Garden its character. This is Kingswood Preparatory School’s nursery in Bath, taking children from nine months to four years. In May 2024, it occupied two buildings on the school site, with nine rooms, its own dining space and 162 children attending. That figure describes attendance at that time, rather than a capacity for new places.

The inspection picture demands attention. At the ISI inspection of 21 to 23 May 2024, the registered early years provision was inadequate overall, with inadequate personal development and leadership and management; education and behaviour and attitudes were outstanding, but safeguarding was ineffective. Families should weigh the learning experiences alongside those serious welfare findings.

Play gives the early years foundation stage (EYFS) curriculum its practical shape: children build language, number skills and independence through ordinary activities. In May 2024, familiar books helped older children remember characters and explain stories, while adults described younger children’s play to develop their speech. Sign language supported communication throughout the nursery. Even tidying became a chance to count, with pens going into a box and numbers represented on fingers.

Choice matters here. Resources were within children’s reach, and the large outdoor play area offered bicycles they could select themselves. Yoga gave older children practice in watching and copying movements. Forest-school experiences introduced tools, campfire boundaries and learning about poisonous plants, making rules and manageable challenges part of the day.

Specialist experiences depend on the booking package. Enhanced Provision includes music, PE, Spanish, drama and Forest School, alongside enrichment such as cooking. Children using funded childcare alone have alternative activities rather than joining the specialist sessions or certain paid enrichment experiences. The distinction changes the day your child receives, so choose the package with those differences in mind.

Several introductory visits helped the youngest children get to know their key person in May 2024. Room changes followed individual development, with parents and the key person involved in planning the move. Sleep also had a gentle pace: younger children could wake gradually and receive a cuddle before returning to play or nappy care. For children with additional needs, the SEND co-ordinator sought advice from external agencies and worked with parents to put it into practice.

Meals are part of Enhanced Provision: a morning snack, lunch with two courses and an afternoon tea with two courses, prepared on site. The Garden’s menu follows a three-week cycle. Funded-only attendance requires families to supply food and consumables and follow the nursery’s allergy and food-safety requirements. Famly observations and reports also differ between the packages.

Safeguarding concerns. In May 2024, staff failed to collect, record and promptly escalate sufficient information about injuries children already had when they came to nursery. This created significant risk. Induction, supervision and continuing training needed improvement so staff understood and carried out their responsibilities, alongside action to prevent unnecessary exposure to risk. Inspectors also found that an expansion of the nursery premises had not been reported to the regulator as required. The accommodation was suitable, and the required notification was submitted during the May 2024 inspection. Ask to see how these specific requirements have been addressed before deciding on a place.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Confirm the application arrangements for existing nursery children with Prep admissions. The published general Prep process involves online registration, an assessment visit and, following an offer, formal acceptance. There is no fixed application deadline for the Prep School; early registration is encouraged because year groups can fill.

Preparation for the change is a different matter from admission. In May 2024, parents had attended a Getting ready for Reception meeting, giving them practical help with preparing their child. That support should not be mistaken for an entitlement to a place.

The nursery operates for 45 weeks annually, with specified holiday closures, bank holidays and two INSET days also to plan around. The main day runs from 8.00am to 5.30pm. Funded hours sit within 8.45am to 4.45pm, covering eight hours for a full day or four for a half day. Funded-only attendance excludes early drop-off and late collection.

Regular session reductions require a month’s notice. Extra sessions depend on space and approval, and missed sessions remain chargeable. Contact The Garden’s admissions team to enquire about availability and arrange a nursery tour; ask the school for current charges. Uniform is optional in Foxes and compulsory in the preschool rooms from age three.