Brockenhurst Primary School & Pre-School: Nursery Review

In July 2023, pasta necklaces became counting lessons, and colour mixing gave children a chance to experiment. These small, concrete activities capture the character of Brockenhurst’s pre-school: practical play with adults helping children take their learning further.

The pre-school sits on the site of Brockenhurst Church of England Primary School & Pre-School, on Sway Road in Brockenhurst. Provision includes two-year-olds. Its setting within the school gives families a school-site nursery option, although nursery attendance and admission to Reception remain separate questions.

In July 2023, Ofsted found that children’s early education began exceptionally well in the pre-school. Activities had clear learning purposes, and both outdoor and indoor areas were used to support them. That matters more than a long list of equipment: the spaces were being used for learning, with adults actively developing what children were doing.

Making necklaces from pasta offered an opportunity to count. Staff brought number practice into the task, connecting a mathematical idea with something children could handle and make. It is a useful illustration of learning through an activity rather than treating counting as a separate exercise.

Colour mixing supplied another example. Children experimented with combining colours and producing different shades, giving them a practical way to explore how materials change. Adult interaction supported the learning throughout these activities. For parents, the clearest picture is of hands-on tasks that carry a purpose, with staff helping children extend their ideas.

Adult attention was a specific strength of the pre-school in July 2023. Staff used interactions with children to develop learning, including helping them count during craft work. Support therefore formed part of the activity itself: children could work with materials while an adult helped them explore the next idea. This is the most concrete picture of everyday adult involvement here.

Attending the pre-school does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal school admissions process, meeting the deadline for their child’s entry year. Treat that application as a distinct step, even if your child already attends the nursery.

For the September 2021 entry cycle, families were directed to Hampshire’s admissions service at www.hants.gov.uk/admissions. That was a past admissions cycle, rather than a timetable for children applying now.

Badger’s Rest provided a named connection between pre-school and additional childcare. In October 2020, it served children attending either the pre-school or primary school, covering ages 2 to 11; attendance brought automatic registration for the club. Booking support was through the school office.

Those arrangements gave nursery families access to childcare beyond the pre-school session. They belong to October 2020 and should be understood in that context. For general enquiries, the school can be contacted on 01590 623163; its address is Sway Road, Brockenhurst, SO42 7RX.