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Nursery at St Andrew's School (Rochester)
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A craft room, soft play and three outdoor spaces give St Andrew’s Pre-School its own identity, on a separate site from the main school. Nursery serves children aged 2–3, followed by Pre-Reception for ages 3–4. Both classes are based in St. Margaret’s Street, 250 metres from the main school, so families need to plan around the pre-school location.
At the November 2025 inspection, Nursery had 18 children and Pre-Reception had 33. These are attendance figures at that time, rather than a measure of available places.
Play has a clear purpose here. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) connects learning to talk, relationships and physical development with early literacy, mathematics, creative work and understanding the world. Children have opportunities to choose and explore, indoors and outside, rather than learning only through adult-directed tasks.
The designated craft room gives making its own space; a miniature home room supports pretend play. Musical instruments, puzzles and toys sit alongside the soft play area and three outdoor spaces. LearnPad tablets are also used in pre-school classes. Together, these provide different ways to explore: through movement, conversation, making and technology.
During the November 2025 inspection, adults adjusted activities around children’s interests and abilities, including changing the role-play corner in response to their requests. This helped extend vocabulary while keeping children involved. Staff demonstrated conversation and play, helping children practise sharing and waiting for a turn.
Weekly Forest School sessions are led by a trained Forest School Leader, with exploration of natural surroundings in the community. Walks and trips also take advantage of nearby historical sites, museums and parks. Outdoor play equipment supports balance and core strength, while French begins in Pre-Reception with specialist teaching.
Everyday care includes helping children manage feelings and develop practical habits. In November 2025, early years children used illustrated emotion charts that staff checked to identify when support was needed. Adults also helped them practise washing hands and blowing their noses. These are small routines with a useful purpose: children learn to communicate discomfort and take increasing responsibility for themselves.
Paediatric first-aid trained staff were present throughout early years provision, and children remained within staff’s sight or hearing. Safeguarding leaders for the pre-school had appropriate training, while staff received updates and discussed scenarios to check their understanding of reporting responsibilities.
Meals and snacks are freshly prepared on site. Harrison Catering Services operates the pre-school kitchen, with menus designed to limit saturated fat, salt and sugar. Families can discuss children’s progress through meetings and parents’ evenings, alongside written reports.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Contact the Admissions Team to confirm the requirements for Reception entry. The Admissions Team handles enquiries, advises on entry points and availability, and guides families through the next steps following a visit.
Confirm Reception entry requirements separately from choosing nursery sessions. Familiarity with St Andrew’s is a reason to consider the provision, rather than an assurance of admission.
Nursery families can choose a morning including lunch, from 8:30 to 12:30, an afternoon from 12:30 to 15:30, or a full day from 8:30 to 15:30. Pre-Reception offers full days with lunch at the same full-day times. Booking patterns affect termly charges, so the session choice matters as much as the start and finish times.
For Pre-Reception, the 15-hour funded entitlement runs from the term following a child’s third birthday until entry to Main School. Funded booking options include three, four or five full days. Pre-school also has a limited number of fully funded places, subject to availability and eligibility; these carry neither a registration fee nor a deposit. Ask the school for current charges for the intended booking pattern.
Breakfast Club runs during term time from 7:30 to 8:30, serving fruit, cereal and toast. Afterschool Care operates from 16:30 to 17:30 after activity clubs, with fruit and biscuits. Both require advance booking and incur additional charges. Holiday Club offers separate care on specified holiday dates, from 8:30 to 16:00, for enrolled children aged 2–11.
School Time supplies uniform. Families can submit a Pre School enquiry through the enquiry form, and private tours can be arranged during term time.
Nursery is for ages 2–3, and Pre-Reception is for ages 3–4.
Nursery and Pre-Reception are at the St. Margaret’s Street site, 250 metres from the main school.
Nursery offers a morning session including lunch, from 8:30 to 12:30. Afternoon and full-day options are also offered.
Pre-Reception offers the 15-hour entitlement from the term after a child’s third birthday until entry to Main School. A limited number of fully funded pre-school places are also offered, subject to availability and eligibility.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Contact the Admissions Team to confirm the requirements for Reception entry.
