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Nursery at Danetree Primary 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Caterpillars and Butterflies give Danetree’s youngest children two distinct starting points: Caterpillars for ages 2–3 and Butterflies for ages 3–4. This is the nursery within Danetree Primary School in West Ewell, with a term-time rhythm that follows the school’s holidays. Families can choose a 15-hour pattern at either end of the week or a 30-hour week.
The emphasis is on exploring, playing and developing language, with learning taking place indoors and outside. That makes the nursery’s practical activities and adult conversations more useful indicators of a child’s experience than the wider school’s results.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the curriculum for children aged 0–5. Here, the nursery gives priority to children’s interests and needs, with adults supporting communication through their interactions and using books as part of learning. Danetree aims to encourage curiosity and independence through opportunities to investigate and experiment.
Practical maths happens outside as well as indoors. Children explore space, shape, measurement and number, while practitioners demonstrate resources and introduce mathematical language during play. The connection is concrete: a numeral can be linked to a group of objects, giving an abstract idea something a child can handle and discuss.
Joining materials with everyday objects gives the youngest children practical problems to explore. In early years art, children experiment with tools and materials to discover the effects of pressure and movement on the marks they make. These activities give children things to try, change and talk about.
At the December 2024 inspection, early years experiences included baking workshops and planting in the nursery garden. Staff were skilled in extending children’s vocabulary with unfamiliar ideas and words. The garden supplies a specific outdoor learning space; baking brings another practical experience into the nursery’s learning.
Butterflies has a class teacher, a nursery practitioner and nursery assistants; Caterpillars has a room leader and nursery assistants. Nursery lunchtime leaders form another part of the team. These roles distinguish classroom provision from support across the lunch period.
For children staying for lunch, families choose between a healthy packed lunch and a charged school hot meal. Lunch is excluded from the nursery session charge, so the meal choice needs to be considered alongside the attendance pattern.
SEND enquiries go to the school’s SENCO at send@danetreeschool.org. Danetree aims to match learning to individual needs and give children with special educational needs equal access to school life. Its Golden Rules ask children to be safe, respectful and honest, providing simple expectations families can reinforce at home.
Attending Danetree’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Surrey County Council’s application route. For September 2027 entry, the closing date is 15 January 2027. Treat that application as a separate decision and deadline, even if your child already attends Caterpillars or Butterflies.
Transition events take place before children begin school, with the aim of helping them feel ready and enthusiastic. Those events support the change of stage; they do not secure admission.
Both nursery groups use the same session patterns. The first 15-hour option runs Monday and Tuesday, 8:40am–3pm, plus Wednesday, 8:40am–11am. The second combines Wednesday, 12:40pm–3pm, with Thursday and Friday, 8:40am–3pm. The 30-hour pattern runs Monday to Thursday, 8:40am–3pm, and Friday, 8:40am–1:20pm. A charged Friday extension to 3pm must be agreed in advance for each half term.
Universal funding provides 15 weekly hours from the term after a child turns 3. Eligible working families can use the extended entitlement, while eligible two-year-olds may qualify through Working Parent Entitlement or Surrey’s FEET funding. Funded hours are taken within the nursery’s main opening hours; additional Wednesday and Friday hours are charged separately. Contact the school for current charges.
Email nurseryadmissions@danetreeschool.org to arrange a nursery tour and meet the team. Collection is at the nursery doors.
Caterpillars is for children aged 2–3, and Butterflies is for ages 3–4.
No. Families must apply separately through Surrey County Council. The closing date for September 2027 entry is 15 January 2027.
Yes. One pattern combines Monday and Tuesday with Wednesday morning; the other combines Wednesday afternoon with Thursday and Friday.
No. Children can bring a healthy packed lunch or have a school hot meal for an additional charge.
Email nurseryadmissions@danetreeschool.org to arrange a visit and meet the nursery team.
