Yarrells Preparatory School Nursery Review

An outdoor playdeck built around an English oak gives Greenwood its distinctive character. This woodland building houses the nursery at Yarrells Preparatory School in Upton, Poole, with six large rooms, an open-plan hall and a garden for outdoor play. Woodland trails connect the building to its surroundings, making nature part of the learning space.

Provision now spans six months to four years. Cottontails covers babies up to 18 months, Kittens takes toddlers from 18 months to two years, and the older groups are Nutkins and Squirrels. The new Baby Unit extends care below the age range covered by the October 2025 school inspection, so those early-years findings should be read separately from the newer baby provision.

Babies follow their own routines, with sensory activities, storytelling and songs alongside feeding and sleep. For Kittens, active play and early conversations sit alongside learning to interact with other children. The emphasis changes with age.

From two, Nutkins combines outdoor play and practical discovery with Forest School, PE and music. Squirrels adds specialist French and swimming to learning through play. Dance takes place once a week from Nutkins onwards; nursery children also have singing and percussion classes. These give children several ways to explore movement, sound and language during their day.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together early learning and personal development. Here, classroom objects become counting resources, shared books encourage reading, and conversations introduce ideas about more and less. In October 2025, ISI found that early-years learning responded to children's interests and needs, with rapid development in language and phonics. Physical challenges included moving across logs of different heights and using a climbing wall, giving children practical opportunities to develop coordination.

Beyond the classroom, the early-years grounds include a nature pond, gardens and woodland. These provide settings for exploration alongside the indoor activities, rather than restricting learning to tables and toys.

The Baby Unit offers gradual settling sessions and adapts feeding, naps and play to each baby's routine. Its designated sleeping area and facilities for changing and feeding support those care needs within the room. Baby-room practitioners hold Level 3 early-years qualifications, while the nursery is led by a qualified teacher.

Food arrangements deserve attention when choosing sessions. Early-years lunches are portioned and plated for children, and the kitchen accommodates dietary needs and religious requirements. Fruit is offered at snack times, with milk and water accessible during the day; Greenwood children have afternoon sandwiches. For children aged two and above, lunch is excluded from Morning and All Day bookings, whereas Full Day includes hot lunch and tea, and Extended Full Day adds breakfast.

By October 2025, early-years staff were helping children manage disagreements, share toys and listen to one another through consistent routines. Required staffing ratios were maintained throughout. For additional needs, the school's support structure includes individual provision plans and collaboration between parents, teachers and external specialists. Two deputy safeguarding leads have an EYFS remit. A term-time newsletter goes out weekly, giving families a regular connection with school life.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Contact the admissions team about the Reception process before making plans for the next stage.

Transition support is a separate benefit. Nursery children have an older pupil buddy for reading and play, and familiarity with Greenwood, staff and routines can make the next stage feel less unfamiliar. Reception teachers also provide preparation and guidance. This continuity supports the move itself; it should not be read as an admissions entitlement.

Under-twos attend all year round, with a minimum of three sessions each week. Their choices run from 8am to either 3.30pm or 6pm. From two, families can choose term-time or year-round attendance: Morning ends at 12.30pm, All Day at 3.30pm and Full Day at 6pm, each starting at 8am. Extended Full Day starts at 7.30am and finishes at 6pm. Ad-hoc bookings depend on space.

Eligible working families can access up to 30 funded hours per week over 38 weeks from nine months, with funding starting the term after that age is reached. Universal funding for three- and four-year-olds provides 15 hours per week over 38 weeks from the term after the third birthday. Stretching funding over 50 weeks spreads the same annual entitlement into fewer funded hours each week. For children aged two and above, Yarrells applies funding between 11am and 5pm, capped at six hours daily; morning enrichment sits outside those funded hours. Meals and consumables can carry additional charges. Under-twos' consumables charge can be declined if families supply their own items. Ask admissions for current charges against your chosen booking.

Use the Nursery Enquiry Form, email admissions@yarrells.co.uk or call 01202 622229. Visits last around an hour. Nursery registration uses the Ovivio Parent App, and uniform comes from Bartletts of Wimborne, with PTA second-hand sales also offered.