St Catherine's School Nursery Review

Five mornings or five full days give St Catherine's Pre-School two distinct attendance patterns. This is girls' provision within an independent school in Bramley, on Station Road near Guildford. Pre-School entry starts from age 3, placing it before the school's Reception entry stage. For families choosing between a morning pattern and a longer day, that distinction is the practical starting point.

Specialist teaching is part of the Pre-School offer. Music, Dance, Sports, IT and Science each have specialist teachers supporting children's education. These named areas give parents a concrete sense of the breadth intended for their daughter's learning, with movement and creative subjects alongside technology and science.

The attendance choice is between a morning pattern and full days, each covering five sessions. Choosing between them changes how much of the day a child spends at Pre-School and how the arrangement fits family life.

Families can raise disability-related needs during the application process. Parents should identify a disability on the application form so the school can make reasonable efforts to adjust assessment arrangements. They are also asked to flag access needs before school visits and, following successful admission, school events. This makes early communication about a child's needs a practical part of joining.

Attending Pre-School does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately for Reception through the school's admissions process; nursery attendance should not be treated as an offer for the next stage.

Registration uses the school's registration form, and Reception entry involves a play assessment. Teacher observation and interaction with children contribute to assessment of social and physical skills alongside literacy and numeracy. This is an admissions decision, separate from the choice of nursery sessions.

Reception Taster Afternoons allow daughters and parents to meet staff and pupils and spend time in the Pre-Prep classrooms. Parents stay for these sessions. After an offer, further school events help incoming children become familiar with the school before joining. Familiarisation and admission remain separate questions.

The two Pre-School patterns are five mornings and five full days. Charges are organised by term. Ask the Prep School Registrar on 01483 899665 for current Pre-School charges and enquiries.

Eligible Pre-School children can receive the Universal 15 Hours Funded Early Education entitlement from the term after their third birthday until the term of their fifth birthday. Eligibility and birthday timing matter: families should factor both into their childcare budget. Childcare vouchers and tax-free childcare payments are also accepted towards supplementary childcare provision.

Payment arrangements. The school asks parents to pay fees through a termly direct debit, with payment due by the term's first day. That concentrates the payment commitment at the start of each term.

Withdrawal notice. Written notice must reach the Head by the first day of term, giving a term's notice; otherwise a full term's fees become payable. Families should account for that commitment when planning a change of childcare.