Ballard School Nursery and Kindergarten

Conversation, outdoor activity and dance give Ballard’s youngest children more than a classroom introduction to school. Nursery and Kindergarten cover ages 2 to 4 within Ballard School, an independent school in New Milton on Fernhill Lane. The wider school occupies a 34-acre campus. For parents, the useful focus is the early years provision itself: activities that develop children’s language, confidence and ability to work with others.

Indoor and outdoor activities both contribute to early learning. At the ISI inspection of 29 April to 1 May 2025, early years children were engaged in planned learning and showed a willingness to act independently and try their own ideas. That matters for a child learning to make choices rather than waiting for an adult to direct every step.

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) takes practical form through conversation, problem solving and learning to get along with other children. Adults use questions and exchanges with children to develop language and help them think through problems. Learning also includes friendship and looking after teeth, connecting personal development with everyday habits.

Dance sits alongside sports and clubs involving creativity, social interaction and exploration for children below school age. In April and May 2025, these children participated eagerly and developed skills in interacting with others. This gives the nursery day a balance of physical activity, thinking and shared experiences, with foundations for later learning built through participation.

Each nursery child has an allocated key person. In April and May 2025, this arrangement helped meet children’s communication and language needs, giving individual attention a clear place in the provision. The practical benefit is support shaped around how a child communicates, alongside the conversations woven into teaching.

Supervision in early years was strong during that inspection, with staff deployed effectively to support positive interaction. Early years staff also had suitable first aid training that was refreshed regularly. These are concrete care arrangements behind the activities children undertake.

Snacks and drinks form part of the consumables charged for funded hours, alongside specialist lessons and other consumables. Lunch carries a separate charge. Families should include both elements when considering the overall childcare arrangement.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Contact Ballard’s admissions team to confirm the process for moving from nursery to Reception.

For Reception entry, offers depend on the school’s assessment of fit following a Taster Day; registration is required before attending that day. Choosing the nursery should therefore be a decision about the early years experience, rather than an expectation of a Reception place.

For 2026/2027, Ballard accepts 30 funded hours per week for eligible working parents of two-year-olds. For children aged 3 and 4, universal funding of 15 weekly hours begins in the term after their third birthday; eligible working parents can use an additional 15 hours. Parents must supply an eligibility code for local authority funding.

Funding weeks. Ballard provides 34 weeks of entitlement from a maximum of 38. The remaining entitlement can be used with another approved provider, so families should consider how that arrangement fits their childcare year.

Additional charges. Funded hours carry a consumables charge, and children without funding eligibility are charged hourly. Contact the school for current charges before booking.

The admissions team handles enquiries and can arrange private tours or Open Mornings. Call 01425 626900 or email registrar@ballardschool.co.uk to discuss joining and book a visit.