Somerhill Nursery Review

Bug hunting and balance bikes give Somerhill’s youngest children a start that reaches beyond the classroom. Saplings, its outdoor programme using Forest School principles, sits alongside indoor learning, with families able to combine the two. That choice shapes the provision’s character.

Children can start Nursery aged two. Nursery and Kindergarten together form the school’s pre-school provision for ages two to four, within Somerhill’s independent school in Tonbridge. At the February 2024 inspection, Nursery had 14 children and Kindergarten had 40. These are attendance figures from that visit, rather than a capacity or promise about class sizes today.

Indoor and outdoor sessions can be combined in a hybrid pattern. Saplings is led by qualified teachers with Forest School training, and activities across the estate include searching for insects, investigating animal habitats and noticing seasonal changes. Nature becomes material for learning about numbers, words and movement, rather than simply a backdrop to play.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) gives this learning its structure. Talking and listening, physical skills and managing feelings and relationships form its foundations. Children also explore early reading and writing, numbers, the world around them and creative expression. Some activities are directed by adults; others follow children’s choices. Alongside this sits Somerhill’s creative curriculum, which begins in Nursery.

Specialist music and PE teaching adds another strand. Balance bikes and BEAM (balance, education, and movement) feature in the physical programme, supported by classroom teachers. There is a practical emphasis on developing movement as well as classroom skills.

In February 2024, early years staff shaped activities around children’s interests and what they could already do, supporting rapid development in communication and awareness of emotions. Adults modelled number language to strengthen early counting. Outdoor climbing, cycling and physical play gave children frequent opportunities to practise balance and movement, with well-developed physical skills evident at that visit.

Teaching teams work together on individual progress and work closely with parents on children’s wellbeing. The team structure includes a Head of EYFS, a Pre-School Room Leader and Saplings leaders. This connects classroom learning with the outdoor programme through distinct staff roles.

Health habits are part of early learning. In February 2024, daily teaching addressed healthy eating and caring for teeth, giving children repeated opportunities to understand everyday self-care. Safeguarding arrangements explicitly covered early years children at the same inspection, with detailed procedures supporting their welfare.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Treat Reception as a separate application and admissions decision, following the normal process and deadline that apply to your child.

Kindergarten is the pre-school stage before Reception. Children may join it in September after their third birthday. There is no expectation that Kindergarten children attend full time in their final term before Reception, so families can retain a shorter attendance pattern rather than increasing sessions solely for that reason.

A minimum commitment of three sessions each week is required. Families can choose three mornings, a day plus a half-day, or two mornings with one afternoon. The model therefore accommodates different combinations while keeping regular contact with the setting.

Enquiries go to the admissions team at admissions@somerhill.org or 01732 375951. Individual tours can be arranged through the admissions enquiry form, and registration is followed by an invitation to a taster session. Contact the school for current charges.

Stevensons supplies uniform through online and telephone ordering, with pop-up shops at Somerhill offering opportunities to try items. For travel planning, the school minibus starts at Year 1, so it is not an option for nursery children.