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Nursery at St Peter's Preparatory 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Tractor tyres, a woodland mud kitchen and Beach School give this nursery its outdoor character. St Peter's Preparatory School takes nursery children from age three within its Pre-prep in Lympstone, Devon. This is an introduction to school life built around exploration and growing independence, with part-time attendance among the booking options. For a child who enjoys learning through movement, the outdoor provision is a substantial part of the appeal.
At the ISI inspection of 14 to 16 May 2024, early years children were learning through Wild Woods, Beach School and practical equipment, with benefits for their movement, relationships and emotional development. Outdoor learning has substance here. Climbing apparatus, tractor tyres and planks give children things to negotiate and explore; the forest mud kitchen has a water butt collecting rainwater, bringing water and messy play into that environment.
The early years foundation stage (EYFS) is the framework for this provision. In everyday terms, the evidenced emphasis is on learning through play and exploration while developing physical skills, confidence and relationships. Children practise doing things for themselves in the woods and through opportunities across the day. They also learn to treat one another with care and respect. These are useful foundations for joining in, making choices and becoming more independent.
Small responsibilities matter too: early years children can act as monitors. That gives them a practical way to contribute to their learning community.
Individual attention is a strength of the nursery teaching described in May 2024. Staff understood the children and matched care to their individual needs, helping them progress. Early years adults also supported children's emotional wellbeing and physical development, so care and learning worked together.
For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the school's support structure includes an Assistant Head responsible for coordinating provision with families, staff and outside agencies. The process uses Assess, Plan, Do, Review, giving support a cycle of planning and reassessment.
Food is part of the practical care arrangements. Milk is free for children under five. Lunch arrangements depend on the booking: part-time unfunded day purchases include it, while funded sessions charge for it separately.
Nursery attendance alone does not guarantee a Reception place. Part-time nursery enrolment means there can be more nursery children than spaces across the school's two Reception classes, so families need to secure the next place separately.
The admissions arrangements give a specific route: return the signed acceptance form with both the Nursery and Reception deposits to guarantee a Reception place. Paying only the Nursery deposit does not provide that guarantee. This is a reservation condition, rather than an automatic entitlement gained by attending nursery. Families planning to continue should deal with the Reception reservation when accepting the nursery place, keeping that decision distinct from their child's daily experience.
Funded days run from 08:30 to 16:00 and last 7.5 hours. Funding follows the school terms, covering just over 33 weeks annually. Book sessions, lunches and wraparound services ahead of each term; unfunded part-time options include a regular day throughout the term or an individual day.
The funding structure provides up to 15 hours each week, with another 15 for eligible families. Parents must obtain and maintain the eligibility code for 30 hours; without it, funding defaults to 15 hours. Educational resources for the curriculum are included in funded attendance. Lunch, some external trips and enrichment activities can attract separate charges, with advance notice for the latter activities.
Additional charges. Unfunded nursery bookings carry a compulsory wraparound charge, and full-time unfunded attendance also has a compulsory lunch extra. Request the school's current charges before committing to a pattern.
For funded sessions, collection more than ten minutes after the booked finish triggers a wraparound service charge. For an enquiry or prospectus, contact admissions on 01395 280335 or use the enquiry form. Personal tours and open mornings provide opportunities to see the setting before choosing it.
Nursery entry starts at age three, within St Peter's Pre-prep.
Early years provision includes Wild Woods and Beach School, alongside climbing equipment, tractor tyres, planks and a forest mud kitchen.
Funded sessions run from 08:30 to 16:00, lasting 7.5 hours, within a funding year of just over 33 school-term weeks.
Curriculum resources are included. Lunch is charged separately, and certain external trips or enrichment activities may also carry charges notified in advance. Milk is free for under-fives.
Attendance alone does not. The school's admissions arrangements guarantee a Reception place when both Nursery and Reception deposits accompany the signed acceptance form; the Nursery deposit alone does not secure that guarantee.
