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Nursery at Gresham's School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Play, conversation and outdoor exploration give Gresham's nursery its character. Within the school's Pre-Prep in Holt, children start from the term after their second birthday, with provision for ages two to four. Full-time and part-time attendance are both possible, allowing families to choose how much of the nursery week their child attends.
The April 2026 ISI inspection found that early-years teaching responded closely to children's interests and development. Its findings cover the school's early years together, rather than awarding the nursery a separate grade.
A morning runs from 08:50 to 13:00; a full day continues until 16:00. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework: children develop communication, early reading and mathematical skills through play, with adults helping them practise and build on what they can already do.
In April 2026, early-years children maintained imaginative games, tackled problems and made choices confidently. Adults extended their thinking through questions, demonstrations and well-timed help. This gives play a learning purpose: a child's interest becomes an opportunity to develop language, work with others or try a harder task.
Both the indoor learning space and outdoor area supported creativity and independence. Role-play included shops and cafés, introducing the ideas of buying and selling through familiar situations. Outdoors, children chose equipment and play partners, giving them practice in making decisions for themselves. Shared tasks and singing also helped children learn to cooperate. These are small, practical steps towards managing a group day.
Settling begins gradually. Parents can accompany their child to introductory sessions, and children may initially attend for a few hours each day. That gives them time to become familiar with the surroundings before taking on a longer session.
Support for special educational needs and disabilities follows Assess, Plan, Do and Review. Staff monitor development, discuss support with parents and seek parental consent before involving outside agencies where necessary. Families therefore have a role in deciding and reviewing the help their child receives.
Early-years adults held qualifications appropriate to the children's ages in April 2026, and children were supervised effectively. Care procedures covered intimate care, medicine storage and watching children while they ate. Safeguarding arrangements included early-years children and recognised the additional risks associated with very young children.
Lunch is included in morning sessions for eligible three- and four-year-olds using Early Years Funding. For funded provision, meals, snacks and consumables carry no charge, keeping those everyday elements separate from charges for additional hours or services.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with no nursery-attendance priority. Reception entry and nursery entry are distinct entry points; families seeking a Reception place apply directly to the school using the relevant registration form. For children already attending, progression remains subject to the school judging the move appropriate.
Familiarisation is a separate matter. Children joining Reception are invited to a morning or afternoon session during the preceding term, where they can meet their teacher and classmates. Parents may accompany them. This helps prepare a child for the change, rather than conferring an admissions advantage.
Funded early education operates for 33 weeks during term time. Eligible three- and four-year-olds can receive up to 15 hours a week in afternoon sessions, Monday to Friday, from 13:00 to 16:00. Morning attendance is charged, with the same day's funded afternoon reserved for eligible children. Additional unfunded hours are charged; extra services such as trips are agreed with families beforehand. Ask the school for current charges.
Changing attendance. A term's notice is required to alter nursery days. Reducing attendance without that notice brings a charge equal to a term's fees for the reduction in days, and Early Years Funding cannot cover it for the three-to-four nursery group. Families should plan changes ahead.
Individual visits can be arranged on weekdays during term time through the Nursery and Pre-Prep team on 01263 714575. The team also handles admissions enquiries at preprep@greshams.com.
Provision covers children aged two to four, with entry from the term following a child's second birthday, subject to available places.
Morning sessions run from 08:50 to 13:00, and full days from 08:50 to 16:00. Funded afternoon sessions run from 13:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday.
Parents can attend introductory sessions with their child. Children may begin with a few hours a day while they become familiar with nursery life.
Eligible three- and four-year-olds are offered up to 15 funded hours weekly in the afternoons. Funded early education runs for 33 term-time weeks; meals, snacks and consumables are not charged for funded provision.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a place or confer priority. Reception applications go directly to the school, while progression for existing pupils remains conditional.
