Eaton Square Prep School Nursery Review

Baking, swimming and early French give Eaton Square’s nursery life a recognisable character: practical activity sits alongside language and early reading. This is the nursery provision of an independent prep school, serving children aged two to four. Beehive, Treehouse and Greenhouse are the named options for full-day attendance. In January 2024, nursery provision comprised five classes across two sites, making classroom choice a practical part of choosing the provision.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) shapes learning. For children under three, the emphasis falls on movement, communication and learning to manage feelings and relationships. Literacy, maths, creative expression and understanding the world extend that foundation. Planning follows children’s interests, with parents invited to contribute ideas, so experiences at home can help shape classroom activity.

Read, Write, Inc. supplies the early English programme. Nursery children learn how sounds relate to letters and practise blending them into words; topic work also introduces handwriting. French begins in Nursery. Swimming starts here too, using play to introduce children to the water. These are distinct experiences alongside classroom learning.

Trips include Forest School, the Royal Parks and London Wetlands Centre. Performance has its own place through the Easter Bonnet Parade and Christmas Performance, giving children opportunities to practise communicating to an audience. Classroom notice boards display weekly plans, while termly timetables help parents understand the pattern of learning.

At the January 2024 ISI inspection, early-years learning was tailored to individual children, engagement was high and children made good progress towards their learning goals. Baking developed creativity and small hand movements, while activities encouraged children to think through challenges and speak with a broader vocabulary. The emphasis was on participation.

Settling follows the school’s gradual approach, with parents and teachers working together during children’s first days. Tapestry connects home and classroom: staff record learning, and parents can add their own observations. Weekly newsletters and a welcome letter at the start of each term give families another way to keep track of activities and dates.

Support is planned around individual needs. Nursery provision includes help with communication, literacy, behaviour and participation in physical activities. For children learning English, opportunities include listening with friends and teachers, bilingual or multilingual support, and use of their home language. English development therefore sits alongside continued use of the language they already know.

The team includes nursery teachers, a SENDCo and an EAL teaching role covering EYFS. The Head of EYFS also holds designated safeguarding responsibility for early years. In January 2024, children were well supervised and had reassuring relationships with adults; they were learning to cooperate, share and treat others kindly. Those everyday social skills matter as much as early reading.

Nursery attendance gives priority for Eaton Square’s Reception entry under its own admissions arrangements. It does not guarantee a place. Nursery children have an informal assessment through play in their classroom, followed by the school’s offer and acceptance process.

Existing nursery families should confirm the Reception registration steps with Eaton Square’s admissions team. Admission remains subject to the classroom assessment and the school’s offer and acceptance process. For September 2027 entry, the school schedules assessments and offers in January 2027, with acceptance due in February; the offer letter supplies the full details.

Ready, Steady, Reception sessions introduce phonics, French and early reading, with opportunities for parents to speak with staff. They provide preparation for the next stage, separately from the decision about admission.

For the September 2026 to August 2027 fee cycle, full-time attendance means five days each week, from 8.30am to 3.30pm, in Beehive, Treehouse or Greenhouse. The part-time option is five mornings, ending at 12.30pm, in Greenhouse. Premier Education provides wraparound care from 3.30pm to 6pm for children aged three and above within its three-to-eleven age range.

Charges are termly across three terms. The school offers the government’s 15-hour childcare funding for three- and four-year-olds, applying on families’ behalf before term and deducting the funding from their termly bill. It does not offer fully funded places. Refer to the school for current charges.

Enquiries go through the Contact Us form, and families can book an individual tour or Open Morning. Nursery registration uses a dedicated application form. Perry Uniform supplies school clothing, while the PTA runs a pre-loved uniform shop. The school calendar includes holiday and INSET closures, so families should plan care around those dates.