Port Regis Preparatory School Nursery Review

Swimming, dance and castle-building give Port Regis’s youngest children different ways to learn. The nursery belongs to the school’s Pre-Prep and Nursery provision at Motcombe Park, Shaftesbury; the school admits children from age two. In November 2025, ISI recorded two nursery classes and found that early years staff understood children’s individual needs and supported their development and wellbeing.

That early years context matters: learning combines conversation, physical activity and opportunities to try things independently. The emphasis is on building the skills children need to participate, make choices and get along with others.

Language gets sustained attention. Adults share stories, talk with children during play and use explanations and questions to develop vocabulary. Building a castle becomes an opportunity to work through a problem, rather than simply complete a construction. Children choose between activities and are encouraged to attempt something unfamiliar. Mistakes are treated as part of learning.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum covers the required learning areas, with teaching organised to guide what children learn and when. Its practical expression includes speaking, physical development and learning alongside other children. Buying and selling through pretend play introduces the idea that money has value; helping tidy the classroom gives cooperation a concrete purpose.

Specialist sports staff teach nursery children several times a week. Dance, gymnastics, swimming and ball activities bring movement into their learning, with opportunities to develop coordination and practise working with others. These are distinct experiences within the nursery programme, rather than activities reserved for older pupils.

Assessment informs help. Early years staff establish what children can already do and use that understanding to give additional support where needed. Kindness also has practical expression: adults model consideration, involve children in agreeing classroom rules and help them learn to care for one another. The November 2025 early years findings also confirm that staff consistently followed the mobile phone policy.

Food is cooked on site. The catering provision accommodates dietary and religious requirements, with dishes including vegetarian curries, soups, paella and pad thai. That gives families with dietary needs a relevant feature of the provision to consider, alongside the learning programme.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Treat Reception entry as a separate application, following the normal admissions route and deadline rather than assuming nursery enrolment settles the next step. Familiarity with the school and entitlement to a place are separate questions.

Individual family visits and group Open Mornings offer ways to explore Port Regis. Private tours can be arranged through admissions@portregis.com or 01747 857914, and children can accompany families to Open Mornings.

For current charges, contact the bursary at bursar@portregis.com. The school’s uniform shop is at the front of Centenary Hall, with fittings arranged through uniform@portregis.com; uniform can also be bought online.