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Nursery at Blundell's Preparatory 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Daily outings to The Hub give this nursery a clear outdoor thread, with pumpkin picking at Halberton adding a named adventure beyond the school grounds. This is the nursery within Blundell's Preparatory School in Tiverton, welcoming children from rising three and sitting within its pre-prep department.
One Nursery class formed part of the early years provision at the September 2025 ISI inspection. Its early years findings describe skilled teaching, attention to children's emotions and activities that stretch their thinking. For parents, the appeal is the combination of exploration and purposeful adult support.
Stories and conversation do substantial work here. Adults read with children, talk alongside their play and use questions to extend understanding. Learning is shaped around children's interests, while assessment identifies what they can already do and where help is needed. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) takes practical form through language development, problem solving and learning to play together.
Children have both adult-directed activities and opportunities to choose their own play, including role play. Indoor and outdoor play also involve carefully supported risks, helping children attempt something unfamiliar and build confidence. The challenge post box adds a concrete invitation to try number and writing tasks. Children can take on a challenge rather than wait for an adult to assign one.
The Hub is a daily destination for nursery pupils. Wild Wonders extends outdoor learning from Nursery onwards, with experiences lasting half or whole days alongside the curriculum. School grounds therefore feature in the learning day, rather than simply providing a backdrop. Across the early years, dance, craft and construction club add further ways to practise movement, making and working with others.
Predictable routines and clear adult guidance help children develop confidence and trusting relationships with staff. Early years leaders provide continuing training and advice on children's development, learning and welfare. Staff also talk informally with parents about progress and wellbeing, and offer advice for supporting learning at home. That gives families practical ways to continue the conversation beyond a session.
Before entry, children are invited back during the preceding term, with information sent home to ease the change. Taster sessions are also offered through the prep school's admissions process. These give children an opportunity to experience the setting before starting.
Appropriate adult-to-child ratios were maintained in the early years in September 2025, with paediatric first aiders among the trained staff. Lunch and snacks are part of the nursery provision: they are included for non-funded sessions and charged separately for funded attendance. The prep school's Learning Success department provides individual or small-group help where children need additional learning support.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Confirm Reception entry arrangements directly with the Prep School Office; choosing the nursery should not be treated as securing the next stage.
Transition support has a different purpose. The prep school's approach includes time in the next setting to meet staff and become familiar with expectations, together with handovers of learning and pastoral information. This helps children prepare for change, independently of the admissions decision.
Morning sessions run from 8am to 1pm; full days finish at 3.30pm. Drop-off is between 8am and 8.30am, with collection at 1pm or between 3.30pm and 4pm. After School Care runs from 4.05pm to 6pm and is restricted to children attending a full day.
Eligible children can use up to 15 funded hours through the Universal Early Years Entitlement Scheme. Families can combine morning and full-day sessions, use the entitlement across three mornings or two full days, or split it with another provider. Additional sessions are charged, and clubs are optional extras. Contact the Prep School Office for current charges and funding arrangements.
Estate oversight. The September 2025 inspection identified inconsistent oversight of school estate management, alongside a school-wide recommendation to use assessment information more consistently. Families should weigh these findings alongside the specifically positive early years assessment findings.
Visits can be booked through the school office at prep@blundells.org or 01884 252393, with appointments during the school day from Monday to Friday.
The nursery welcomes children from rising three.
Morning sessions are 8am to 1pm and full days are 8am to 3.30pm. After School Care is available from 4.05pm to 6pm for full-day attendees only.
Eligible children can use up to 15 hours under the Universal Early Years Entitlement Scheme, combining morning and full-day sessions or sharing the entitlement with another provider.
They are included for non-funded sessions. For funded attendance, lunch and snacks are charged extras; contact the school for current charges.
No. Confirm Reception entry arrangements directly with the Prep School Office.
