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Nursery at Hopelands 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Forest School at Raffles and specialist Spanish give Hopelands nursery a day that reaches beyond its own classroom. This is the nursery within an independent preparatory school in Stonehouse, with a qualified Early Years teacher leading the provision. Children learn through play alongside more structured activities.
Entry is from the September after a child's third birthday, and children must be potty trained. The nursery classroom is on the ground floor, beside Reception. Children can move between the two learning environments, making the next classroom a familiar part of nursery life.
Play and teaching share the day. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) connects physical development, relationships and communication with early mathematics, literacy, creativity and understanding the world. Development Matters informs planning and assessment, helping staff choose the next learning steps for each child. Hopelands describes a gentle routine that leaves room for flexibility.
Specialist teaching brings dance, music, Spanish, PE and art into nursery learning. Spanish starts through games, poems, stories and songs, with the emphasis on speaking and listening. Forest School sessions take place at Raffles, while access to school play areas gives children outdoor opportunities alongside their classroom activities. Construction and creative play are among the extracurricular options.
At the ISI inspection of 10 to 12 December 2024, early years teaching built on children's interests and supported good progress across the learning areas. Daily work on letter sounds continued into practical activities at writing stations and tasks involving simple reading. Singing and group performances developed rhythm; creative work exercised the small movements needed for writing and handling tools. Learning was used throughout the day.
Social learning was equally concrete. In December 2024, early years children practised sharing and listening through role play, discussions on the carpet and games involving turns. Sand timers helped make turns fair, giving children a visible way to manage shared resources.
A settling session close to the start date gives children an introduction before joining. The All About Me form records a key person, interests, family connections, likes and dislikes, and what children find difficult. That gives parents a practical way to explain their child beyond basic registration details. Teaching staff have school email addresses, and parents can arrange conversations with teachers.
Lunch can be a packed meal or an optional charged hot lunch, ordered ahead for the term. Hot meals are prepared elsewhere and brought to school, with three choices. Nut-based products are prohibited, including in snacks and packed lunches, so families need to check what they send.
For special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), teachers and the SENCo use an Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle. Parents take part in discussions about support. Additional needs. Building access has limitations, and reasonable adjustments depend on the school being able to meet the child's needs; associated adjustment costs are passed to parents, with all related fees payable before the child starts school. This makes the individual support agreement consequential for families.
In December 2024, required early years staffing ratios were maintained, staff had paediatric first aid training, and children practised self-care such as handwashing. A school-wide improvement action concerned evaluating how effectively additional SEND support helped pupils progress. Families considering support should keep progress reviews central to their discussions.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Keep the admissions decision separate from classroom familiarity: applications go directly to Hopelands through its registration and offer process, and registration itself does not guarantee an offer. Nursery entry preference for families committing to continue into Reception is a nursery allocation rule, rather than a promise of Reception admission.
The adjoining classrooms and movement between them provide everyday familiarity. Children due to start Reception in September are also invited to two transition sessions, held in June and July before they start. Those sessions prepare children for the change; they do not replace securing a place.
For 2026–27, nursery runs during term time across 35 weeks. Families book three, four or five days, with a minimum of three school days encouraged. Families using only funded hours should discuss their attendance pattern directly with the school. Drop-off is between 7.30am and 8.30am; collection is between 3.45pm and 5.30pm. Nursery fees include morning care, after-school care and extracurricular clubs, and are paid ahead of each term.
Hopelands accepts 15 hours of Early Years funding, or 30 hours for eligible families, through Gloucestershire County Council. Funding continues through the term before Reception and is applied to the term's invoice. For children using only that funding, the registration fee is voluntary. Ask the school for current charges.
Uniform is required. Nursery sports clothing includes navy jogging bottoms, and Friends of Hopelands sells second-hand uniform. To enquire or arrange a visit, contact the Registrar on 01453 822164 or admissions@hopelands.org.uk.
Children are eligible from the September following their third birthday and must be potty trained.
Nursery children have Forest School sessions at Raffles and access to the school's play areas.
Hopelands accepts 15 hours of Early Years funding, or 30 hours where eligible. Families using funded hours only should discuss their attendance pattern with the school.
No. Keep Reception admission separate from the nursery place and use the school's registration and offer process. Classroom familiarity and transition sessions do not guarantee admission.
Families can provide a packed lunch or order an optional charged hot lunch in advance for the term. Nut-based products must be kept out of snacks and packed lunches.
