Brighton College Prep School Nursery Review

Five mornings, lunch included, give Brighton College Prep School’s nursery a fixed weekly rhythm. Optional afternoons extend that pattern into full days. Entry starts at age three, making this an early introduction to the independent prep school rather than a day chosen session by session.

In October 2024, the nursery occupied two classes on the purpose-built pre-prep site. An April 2025 material change application proposed bringing the school onto one site; the inspection recommendation supported approval of that proposal.

For the main nursery pattern, children can come in from 8am and must be registered by 8.45am. Mornings finish at 12.15pm, after lunch. Afternoon sessions run from 12.20pm until 3.20pm, so families can add a longer day while retaining the same morning routine.

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) connects learning with children’s development. In October 2024, ISI found that early years children progressed well across its seven learning areas, with secure early understanding of mathematics and confident communication. Staff watched children’s learning and used assessments to decide what each child should work on next. That gives the curriculum an individual starting point.

Outdoor exploration brought the surrounding area into learning, encouraging curiosity about the world. Planned activities developed both larger movements and finer hand skills. These findings concern the early years as a whole, including the nursery.

Sharing toys and taking turns formed part of everyday early years play in October 2024. Adults encouraged children to work through difficulties together, giving cooperation a practical place in the day. An emotions rainbow, introduced from the early years, helped children recognise and explain feelings.

Before starting, accepted families receive an information pack and a summer-term invitation to meet classmates and their child’s teacher. This offers a first introduction to familiar people before the new term.

Lunch is included even for children attending mornings only. Learning support also reaches nursery children: short-term help with learning and individual or small-group wellbeing sessions sit within the school’s support arrangements.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Keep the Reception admissions decision separate from choosing the nursery.

For applicants, the prep school’s route uses its UK Registration Form, followed by assessment. Younger applicants to Nursery and Reception attend a 45-minute taster with children of similar ages. Communication, social interaction and concentration are among the areas considered. Offers follow successful assessment and are normally made at the end of January. These are the school’s own admissions arrangements, so families should use its admissions team for the application process.

Attendance pattern. The main booking model requires five mornings each week, with between one and five afternoons added if wanted. Changes to afternoon bookings require half a term’s notice; morning-only arrangements have a one-month notice requirement.

Funded hours. The school applies 15 hours of Early Years Free Entitlement (EYFE) within morning sessions, averaged over the academic year. The school warns that EYFE funding unused because it operates for fewer than 38 weeks, or because of scheduled or unscheduled closures, is unlikely to be available to parents at other settings. Remaining attendance attracts charges. A separate EYFE-only option runs Monday to Friday, 12.20pm to 3.20pm, subject to space, with no requirement to buy extra childcare. The additional entitlement taking eligible families to 30 hours is not offered.

Rockhoppers After School Club accepts nursery children, with sessions from 3.45pm to 4.45pm and 4.45pm to 5.45pm. It carries an extra charge. Parents reserve places through the parent portal before each term; requests at short notice depend on staffing and classroom ratios. Half a term’s notice is required to withdraw from Rockhoppers, so plan changes ahead.

Contact prepadmissions@brightoncollege.net about nursery attendance and funding, and the school for current charges. Personal visits and Open Mornings are options for meeting the admissions team. Schoolblazer supplies prep school uniform.