Duchy College Pre-School Review

Swimming, yoga and a hot lunch in a dedicated Dining Room give Duchy College Pre-School a day that extends beyond classroom play. This is the school's nursery provision for boys and girls aged 2 to 4, with its own address at 1 Duchy Road, Harrogate. The nursery sits within a wider school organisation, bringing access to nursing support as well as early years teaching.

Foundation groups lead into a Transition Class, with activities changing as children develop. The emphasis begins with talking, movement and social confidence before adding early reading, writing and number work. That gives the nursery years their own purpose: building the skills children need to participate, communicate and learn.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) shapes learning through exploration, creative activity and play, inside and outside. A structured timetable combines activities directed by adults with choices children make themselves. Staff use questions to encourage curiosity and thinking, rather than making the day a succession of formal lessons.

In the example timetable, the morning opens with registration and circle time. Outdoor play, a snack and learning activities follow, with stories and a chance to share learning before lunch. The afternoon returns to circle time, then combines children's chosen activities with adult guidance and outdoor play. A final story helps bring the session to a close.

Music, French and swimming feature in the example Transition programme, alongside PE and yoga. Foundation groups also explore baking and early number and literacy activities. These are practical ways to use language, coordinate movement and try new skills. Outdoor team games and shared resources give children opportunities to practise cooperation.

At the ISI inspection of 8 to 10 October 2024, children across the early years were making good progress, with learning adjusted around their developmental needs. Drawing and yoga supported movement skills, while conversation and activities involving sharing helped prepare children for their next stage. These findings concern the early years across the school.

Each child has an allocated key person responsible for their welfare and development. The Pre-School Manager oversees everyday learning and pastoral care, provides a daily contact for parents and also holds a deputy safeguarding role. The team includes a Head of EYFS who is a qualified primary teacher, while the manager is an experienced senior early years practitioner.

Settling into the morning includes choosing an activity before the formal start. Parents and staff can talk at the beginning and close of the day; an online learning platform adds a weekly account of learning. Individual progress meetings provide time for a fuller discussion of development.

Food has a social setting of its own. Children attending lunch eat a hot meal with two courses in the Dining Room, with food prepared on site using local ingredients. Menus are developed with parents and staff around pre-school children's needs. Both morning and afternoon sessions include snacks. The Wellness Centre has a qualified nursing team working full time, offering healthcare support and practical guidance to parents.

Attending Duchy College Pre-School does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline.

Educational preparation is a separate matter. The Head of EYFS coordinates learning between the nursery and prep school, helping children prepare for the next stage. Within the nursery, the progression from Foundation groups to the Transition Class builds communication and social skills alongside early literacy and numeracy. Familiarity with learning routines supports that move; it does not secure admission.

Standard sessions run from 9am to 12pm or from 1pm to 4pm. A separately charged lunch session runs between 12pm and 1pm and can accompany any combination of morning or afternoon sessions. Termly charges depend on how many sessions a child attends each week, so the booking pattern matters when planning both care and costs.

Early Years Funding is available for eligible children aged 3 and 4. Contact the school on 01423 537045 for enquiries and current charges. The pre-school address is 1 Duchy Road, Harrogate, HG1 2EY.