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Nursery at St Gabriel's 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
At the ISI inspection of 30 April to 2 May 2024, eggs from the school chickens, herbs to explore and a lending library in the Baby Room gave St Gabriel's nursery a character built around practical discovery. Children learn through things they can touch, grow, read and use. This is provision for boys and girls aged six months to four years, within the independent school at Sandleford Priory.
The Baby, Toddler and Pre-School Rooms provide stages within that journey. In April and May 2024, ISI judged the registered early years provision outstanding overall and safeguarding effective. That judgement applies to the registered provision, which covered the Baby Room and some Toddler Room children, rather than every nursery room.
Play connects language, movement and independence. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) takes tangible form in action rhymes for babies, conversations that introduce unfamiliar words and carefully planned steps towards feeding themselves. Children practise drinking from an open cup and move from a spoon towards using two utensils. These everyday tasks become learning opportunities.
Indoor play includes pretending to cook and clean, drawing on familiar experiences from home. Visitors introduce occupations: learning about a doctor leads into medical role play, while exploring a postal van helps children understand how letters reach their address. Family members contribute stories in their own languages and cooking for celebrations including Diwali, connecting nursery learning with family life.
Outside, the sand pit and water containers offer practice in pouring and coordination. Older toddlers tackle logs, planks and climbing frames; babies explore ramps and uneven ground with adult support. Planting vegetables and herbs, then collecting eggs for cooking, connects food with its origins. These were concrete features of nursery life in April and May 2024, with physical challenge adapted to children's development.
Settling starts before the first full day. In the preceding week, children are generally invited to two or three introductory sessions, adjusted to their individual needs. Room Leaders guide parents through the process while children become familiar with their key worker and room team.
A key person knows each child's care needs. In April and May 2024, a baby's tiredness after a snack prompted gentle support to sleep; information from parents about home life was shared across the staff team so adults could respond to children's interests. Books also helped children recognise feelings and explain their emotions.
Food is included in the nursery day: lunch and tea sit alongside morning and late-afternoon snacks, with breakfast for children arriving before 8.25am. Care and learning overlap as children develop the skills to feed themselves. Support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) included prompt identification of extra needs and putting professional advice into practice. Safeguarding training covered recognising concerns, including risks affecting babies who cannot yet move independently.
Nursery attendance alone does not guarantee Reception admission. Families must register separately for Reception through the school's admissions process. Children registered for both Nursery and Junior School receive priority for Reception allocation. A further, non-refundable registration fee can reserve a guaranteed Reception place; that payment is credited against the first Reception term's fees. The guarantee depends on this additional registration, rather than attendance alone.
Applications have no closing date, although the school recommends applying at least a year ahead. Reception offers for 2027 entry are scheduled for November 2026. Preparation is separate from allocation: nursery and school staff coordinate the learning sequence, and children joining Reception are invited to transition events in the spring and summer terms.
Full-day sessions run from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday. Families can choose a place covering 50 weeks or term time only, subject to room availability, with at least two days each week. Collection and drop-off can fall within the session rather than requiring attendance throughout; specialist lessons occupy the core period from 9.00am to 3.30pm.
Closures include bank holidays, the first full August week and a week across Christmas and New Year. Christmas Eve finishes at 12.30pm. For enquiries and visits, contact nurseryadmissions@stgabriels.co.uk or 01635 555680. Termly Open Mornings and individual evening tours provide opportunities to meet the nursery team. Refer to the school for current charges.
The nursery caters for boys and girls from six months to four years, with Baby, Toddler and Pre-School Rooms.
Full-day sessions run from 7.30am to 6.30pm on weekdays. Children attend at least two days a week, with 50-week and term-time places subject to availability.
Children generally have two or three settling sessions in the week before starting, with flexibility for individual needs. These introduce their key worker and room staff.
Lunch, tea and morning and late-afternoon snacks are included. Breakfast is included for children arriving before 8.25am.
Attendance alone does not. Separate registration for Nursery and Junior School brings Reception priority. The school's additional non-refundable Reception registration fee reserves a guaranteed place and is credited against the first Reception term's fees.
