Nursery at St Michael's Prep 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.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 the youngest children at St Michael's their starting point. Nursery children can use both inside and outside learning spaces, with planned activities and a personal key worker. This is the school's own provision at Otford Court in Otford, within its Pre-Prep department.
Children enter Nursery in the September following their second birthday; Kindergarten takes children from the September following their third. At the May 2024 ISI inspection, the early years organisation included a single Nursery group and two Kindergarten groups working together. These are distinct stages, with different minimum attendance commitments.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) gives play a purpose here. Its learning areas bring together early number work and literacy, creative expression, understanding the world, movement, communication and social development. For Nursery children, planned play gives opportunities to practise independence and explore ideas, with access to indoor and outdoor spaces rather than learning confined to a classroom.
Kindergarten combines classrooms with outdoor areas that children can move between freely. Topics develop through children's interests and questions. Woodland and grounds provide opportunities to tackle practical problems together, making discovery and cooperation part of learning. Weekly PE with a specialist teacher uses the Sports Hall, fields and Astro turf pitch; equipment includes hoops, bean bags and dance scarves. Nursery children also participate in the annual French Day, which introduces music, clothing and food.
In May 2024, early years adults used conversation during exploration to build vocabulary and help children express themselves; communication skills developed rapidly. Staffing exceeded minimum requirements, supporting closely supervised nature walks and forest learning. Children also practised responsibility by distributing snacks or leading a line, and voted to choose stories. Small tasks made cooperation tangible. One improvement remained: teachers needed to make the five learning behaviours clearer during lessons, including independence, creativity, engagement, resilience and collaboration.
A personal key worker gives each Nursery child a consistent adult connection within the team. Before starting, Nursery and Kindergarten children are invited to a stay and play session during the preceding Lent Term. That offers an introduction to the setting before regular attendance begins.
The May 2024 inspection found that early years children formed friendships readily and built trusting relationships with adults, giving them confidence to try things and learn from mistakes. Staff modelled kindness and taught children to respect others' personal space. Early years risk management included staff training and updated assessments.
Hot lunch, a snack and stationery are included in fees. Accent Catering cooks dishes on site from scratch, and menus change each term to reflect the seasons. Children staying at Mini-Hive receive a sandwich tea. Learning needs are tracked from early years, with information shared with parents and help from the SEND department or outside specialists, including speech and language therapists. Families needing specialist staffing, ratios or facilities should discuss the fit before entry: admission may be declined where the school cannot provide what a child needs, subject to its Equality Act obligations.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. St Michael's expects its Kindergarten children to continue into Reception. Contact the Admissions Team to confirm the arrangements for your child's progression. Registration itself does not guarantee entry. This is an independent school's process; contact the team directly to organise the next stage.
The June Move-Up Morning introduces children joining the school to their new teacher and classroom through lessons. Familiarisation is useful preparation, separate from securing a place.
Nursery mornings run from 8.15am to noon, and full days finish at 3.20pm. The minimum is two sessions per week; Kindergarten requires four. Additional Nursery or Kindergarten sessions can be booked subject to availability.
Early Risers operates in term time from 7.30am to 8.15am on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Book half-termly in advance; short-term and ad-hoc bookings are excluded. After the learning day, the complimentary Relax and Unwind session lasts 30 minutes and requires advance booking. Mini-Hive provides charged, hourly after-school care during term time, with a maximum of two hours per day. Ask the school for current charges. Nursery and Kindergarten payments can use Tax-Free Childcare or the Enjoy Benefits Scheme.
Contact admissions@stmichaels.kent.sch.uk or 01959 526042 to enquire. Individual tours take place on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings during term time. Uniform can be bought from the on-site School Shop, including click and collect orders.
Children are accepted from the September after their second birthday. Kindergarten entry begins in the September after their third birthday.
Nursery offers mornings from 8.15am to noon and full days from 8.15am to 3.20pm, with a minimum of two sessions each week. Kindergarten has the same session times and a minimum of four sessions weekly.
Nursery and Kindergarten starters are invited to a stay and play session during the Lent Term before they join. Nursery children have a personal key worker.
Fees include hot lunch, a snack and stationery. Mini-Hive also provides a sandwich tea as part of its charged after-school care.
No. The school expects Kindergarten children to continue into Reception, but registration does not guarantee a place. Contact the Admissions Team to confirm the arrangements for your child's progression.
