North Bridge House Nursery & Pre-Prep Schools Review 2026: Independent Early Years Provision in Hampstead

North Bridge House Nursery & Pre-Prep Schools occupies two charming Victorian villas in leafy Hampstead, serving children aged 2 to 7 across separate Nursery and Pre-Prep campuses located moments from one another. The independent co-educational school places kindness at its core, with specialist teaching in subjects including French, Italian, Music, Dance and Sport from the earliest years. The school recently earned Millie's Mark accreditation and Certified Allergy School status, reflecting its commitment to comprehensive pupil care. Following a 2025 ISI inspection, leaders were praised for having "secure knowledge and understanding of how pupils learn," with wellbeing prioritised in all decision-making. Significantly, the school is transitioning in September 2026 to become Alleyn's Hampstead as part of a partnership with the distinguished Alleyn's Schools Group, marking a new chapter for this established Hampstead provision. Fees for the 2024-25 academic year range from £7,353 per term for Nursery to £9,916 per term for Years 1 and 2.

North Bridge House Nursery & Pre-Prep Schools has long been part of the wider North Bridge House family, which operates six campuses across London serving children aged 2 to 18. The Hampstead Nursery School, on Fitzjohn's Road, occupies a large Victorian villa with bright, spacious classrooms and two expansive playgrounds, while the Pre-Prep School sits in Netherhall Gardens, a quiet cul-de-sac, in an equally historic Victorian building. This proximity creates a natural and reassuring transition for children moving from preschool to Reception.

The school's ethos centres on providing a "wholly holistic education" with kindness as its foundational value. Staff pride themselves on really getting to know each individual child, building meaningful relationships that support the growth of confidence and resilience. High staff-to-pupil ratios enable teachers to tailor their approaches to different learning needs, with particular emphasis on play-based and experiential education. Leadership, under head Michelle Blaber since 2020, prioritises pupil wellbeing in all decision-making, creating what the 2025 ISI inspection described as "a welcoming and happy place that pupils enjoy coming to."

From September 2026, the school will become Alleyn's Hampstead, transitioning from the Cognita-owned North Bridge House network to the Alleyn's Schools Group. This partnership promises continuity of leadership and teaching staff while introducing Alleyn's award-winning holistic curriculum, including the pioneering AiQ tech and ethical skills programme. Cognita will invest in facility development and renovation, including a new pastoral care centre called The Well and dedicated tech studios. Current families and prospective applicants seeking admission from September 2026 onwards should contact Alleyn's Hampstead directly for updated information.

The school delivers the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stage 1 curriculum through a blend of core subjects and specialist enrichment. From age 2, children benefit from specialist teaching in French, Italian, Music, Dance and Sport, alongside an award-winning Philosophy for Children programme designed to develop self-awareness and critical thinking. Timetabled Forest School sessions enrich children socially and emotionally, while recently introduced coding workshops using the CodeMonkey platform reflect a modern approach to digital literacy.

Teachers use high staff-to-pupil ratios to provide individualised support, continuously tracking progress through informal observation and assessment. Every child receives one-to-one attention, with careful planning and monitoring ensuring pupils are stretched or supported to achieve their full potential. Drama, storytelling, gym, and mindfulness activities are integrated throughout, emphasising wellbeing alongside academic development.

The school reports strong outcomes at Key Stage 1: 97.5% of pupils reach or exceed age-related expectations in English, Writing and Maths. This level of attainment positions the school above national averages, where approximately 62% of pupils nationally achieve expected standards in reading, writing and maths combined. Pupils progress to North Bridge House Prep School and to many of the country's top senior schools thereafter, demonstrating solid preparation for competitive next-stage admissions.

Independent schools such as this are not subject to statutory performance data publication, so the school's results are drawn from internal reporting and marketing materials. The 2025 ISI inspection confirmed that the school "is led effectively by leaders with secure knowledge and understanding of how pupils learn," and noted that pupil wellbeing is central to all decision-making processes. The school's accreditations—Millie's Mark for paediatric first aid across all Early Years staff and Certified Allergy School status—further evidence comprehensive pastoral and academic care.

The two Hampstead campuses provide safe, historic environments for early learning. The Nursery School's large Victorian villa features bright classrooms and two expansive outdoor play areas, while the Pre-Prep building in Netherhall Gardens mirrors this environment, making the transition from one site to the next reassuring for young children. Both sites benefit from newly developed eco-gardens, supporting sustainability education and outdoor learning.

Extracurricular provision includes Run Club, swimming, and a variety of sports, alongside wellbeing and mindfulness activities woven into daily life. Morning snacks are provided at no charge, and lunch is included in termly fees for Reception through Year 2. The school offers coding workshops, drama performances, and music concerts, reflecting a broad co-curricular programme for its age range.

The partnership with Alleyn's Schools Group from September 2026 will bring significant investment in facilities. Planned developments include The Well, a dedicated pastoral care centre, and new tech studios to deliver Alleyn's distinctive AiQ curriculum. These enhancements are intended to complement the existing Victorian charm while modernising resources for 21st-century learning.

North Bridge House Nursery & Pre-Prep Schools accepts children from age 2 onwards across Pre-Nursery, Nursery, Pre-Reception, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. Admissions are described as straightforward, with open days and private tours available year-round. Mid-year and immediate placements are considered depending on availability.

Children enrolled at the Nursery School (ages 2 to 4 on Fitzjohn's Avenue) automatically progress to the Pre-Prep School (ages 4 to 7 in Netherhall Gardens) at age 4, so few external places are available at Reception entry. Externally applying families are invited to meet the head before admission, and places are then allocated at her discretion. Admissions give priority to siblings and children of former pupils, which can make it more competitive for new families.

As an independent school, North Bridge House does not operate within local authority catchment areas or admissions timetables. Families interested in entry from September 2026 onwards should note the transition to Alleyn's Hampstead and contact the new institution for up-to-date admissions processes and availability. The school's Hampstead location in leafy north-west London is well-connected, though no specific catchment distance data is published for independent admissions.

North Bridge House Nursery & Pre-Prep Schools offers a warm, specialist-rich early years education in the heart of Hampstead, with high staff ratios and a values-driven ethos that prioritises kindness and wellbeing. Children benefit from early exposure to languages, arts, sport, and outdoor learning, with outcomes that consistently exceed national averages at Key Stage 1. The Victorian campuses provide characterful settings, and recent accreditations in paediatric first aid and allergy care demonstrate comprehensive pastoral support.

The impending transition to Alleyn's Hampstead in September 2026 marks a significant evolution. For families seeking continuity with proven leadership and teaching staff, the partnership promises stability alongside access to Alleyn's highly regarded curriculum and planned facility investment. For those considering entry from 2026 onwards, direct engagement with Alleyn's Hampstead will be essential to understand how the new structure and ethos may differ.

In a competitive London independent landscape, this school suits families seeking a nurturing, specialist-led start with strong academic foundations, particularly those already connected to the North Bridge House network or interested in the Alleyn's brand. The transition represents both opportunity and uncertainty, making it crucial for prospective parents to clarify admissions, fees and curriculum details with the incoming Alleyn's Hampstead team.

Is North Bridge House Nursery & Pre-Prep Schools a good school?

The school offers a well-regarded independent early years education in Hampstead, with specialist teaching from age 2, high staff-to-pupil ratios, and strong Key Stage 1 outcomes (97.5% of pupils at or above expected standards). The 2025 ISI inspection found it to be "a welcoming and happy place" with effective leadership. It transitions to Alleyn's Hampstead in September 2026, bringing access to the Alleyn's curriculum and planned facility investment. Families value the nurturing ethos, Victorian campuses, and progression routes to top London prep and senior schools.

How do I apply to North Bridge House Nursery & Pre-Prep Schools?

Admissions begin at age 2 (Pre-Nursery) and continue through to Year 2. The process is described as straightforward, with open days and private tours available throughout the year. External families meet the head prior to admission, with places allocated at her discretion. Nursery children automatically progress to the Pre-Prep at age 4, so Reception entry is limited for external applicants. For entry from September 2026 onwards, contact Alleyn's Hampstead directly, as the school transitions to the Alleyn's Schools Group.

What are the fees at North Bridge House Nursery & Pre-Prep Schools?

For the 2024-25 academic year, termly fees are: Nursery and Pre-Nursery £7,353, Pre-Reception £8,329, Reception £9,501, and Years 1 and 2 £9,916. Nursery fees exclude VAT; Reception and Years 1-2 fees include VAT (effective January 2025) and lunch. A £2,000 deposit is required (£6,000 for international students), refunded upon withdrawal with one term's notice. Incremental sibling discounts apply: 5% for one sibling, 10% for two, 15% for three or more. Registration fees and bursary availability are best confirmed directly with the school or, from 2026, with Alleyn's Hampstead.

What age range does North Bridge House Nursery & Pre-Prep Schools serve?

The school serves children aged 2 to 7 across two Hampstead campuses. The Nursery School (Fitzjohn's Road) caters for ages 2 to 4, while the Pre-Prep School (Netherhall Gardens) serves ages 4 to 7 (Reception to Year 2). Children transition between the two sites at age 4, creating a continuous early years provision.

What is the transition to Alleyn's Hampstead?

In September 2026, North Bridge House Nursery & Pre-Prep Schools will become part of Alleyn's Hampstead, an all-through school for ages 2 to 18 created through a partnership between Cognita (the owner) and the Alleyn's Schools Group. Current leadership and teaching staff will remain, but the curriculum will adopt Alleyn's award-winning holistic model, including the AiQ tech and ethical skills programme. Cognita will invest in facilities, including a new pastoral care centre (The Well) and tech studios. Families seeking admission from 2026 onwards should contact Alleyn's Hampstead for updated admissions, fees and curriculum information.