Forest Park Preparatory School Nursery Review

Colour stations, sand and water play, and specialist Spanish give Forest Park’s youngest children a day with several different starting points. Nursery and Pre-Prep sit within the independent preparatory school in Sale, welcoming children from their second birthday. Families can choose a term-time day or longer attendance across 48 weeks, making the provision relevant to both school-hours routines and working days.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) shapes the learning: children practise talking, moving and getting along with others alongside early reading, number work, creative activities and discovering how things work. Continuous provision means materials remain accessible for children to choose and explore. Colour stations, computers, craft resources and sand and water areas give those choices a physical form; tidying up afterwards makes independence part of the activity.

Specialist sessions introduce Spanish and ICT alongside music and PE. Three outings each year extend learning beyond the classroom, with Smithills Farm and Knowsley Safari Park among recent destinations. Outdoors, the early-years space includes a covered area and an outdoor classroom, giving play and exploration their own setting beyond the indoor resources.

For older children in Pre-Prep, the example curriculum makes the activities more tangible: dough gym exercises small hand movements, environmental sounds introduce listening work, and floating-and-sinking experiments invite children to test ideas. These are examples within a plan, rather than a fixed daily timetable for every nursery child.

The February 2024 ISI inspection found that early-years children developed language through play, collaborated on construction and enjoyed specialist music and PE, but needed more scope for independent exploration of colour, texture, shape and design. Creative freedom. That recommendation matters alongside the craft resources: families should consider the opportunities children have to make their own choices and explain their creations.

A key person connects each child’s learning with their everyday care. In June 2025, these arrangements were in place and explained to parents, with extension to the incoming younger children planned. The February 2024 early-years findings also describe regular conversations with parents and assessment-led support, giving families a connection between what happens at home and what staff plan next.

Before entry, a meeting and taster sessions help staff and parents discuss individual needs. Where additional support is needed, Forest Park can seek Trafford’s Targeted Setting Support after consulting the family. This gives the initial settling process a practical purpose beyond getting familiar with a classroom.

Food is prepared on site, with morning and afternoon snacks for EYFS children and a daily hot-lunch option. Most dietary requirements can be accommodated. In June 2025, early-years staff worked with families and kitchen staff on food adaptations, while changing facilities, toilet-training space and provision for sleep addressed personal care needs. All early-years staff had current paediatric first-aid training at that visit. These details matter for children still needing help with eating, toileting or rest.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Plan separately for Reception and ask the school’s admissions team to confirm the application requirements and timing. Treat the nursery booking and the later school place as distinct decisions.

Preparation for that change belongs to the child’s learning. The Pre-Prep example curriculum includes transition to Reception alongside discussion of worried or scared feelings. That gives the move an emotional dimension as well as a change of classroom; it is separate from admission.

Term-time attendance runs from 08:45 to 15:45 over 35 weeks; the all-year option runs from 07:30 to 18:00 across 48 weeks. The funding policy recommends at least three days’ attendance. Families should agree their pattern when booking, because funded hours are accessed between 12:00 and 18:00 rather than throughout the opening day.

Funding is stretched across 48 weeks: a 15-hour entitlement becomes 11.8 funded hours weekly, while eligible children with a 30-hour entitlement receive 23.75. Parents must complete the funding contract before using funded sessions. Food, consumables and specialist education can attract additional charges, but these services are optional for funded places; families may supply food and consumables that meet the healthy-eating and allergy policy. Contact the school for current charges.

Enquiries go to office@forestparkprep.co.uk, and the visit form offers private tours. Nursery clothing includes a red Forest Park T-shirt, green sweatshirt and joggers, with black shoes. The practical emphasis is on clothes children can play in while following the school’s uniform requirements.