Children can start Nursery Class at Caversham Prep from the age of 3. The youngest members of our school family learn and develop through play in a happy, safe and exciting environment.
We offer a mix and match setting for families registered for Reception, from morning sessions during term time, to school day sessions, and we offer the option of wrap around care from 8am-6pm during term time and the same during holiday club for 8 weeks.
Children are safe and happy; the environment is warm and friendly, with excellent resources and displays well chosen to offer stimulation and challenge. ISI Report
Our teaching and care staff our all qualified early years practitioners.
Our Nursery children achieve highly in relation to their starting points. When children first come to Nursery, it may be the first time that parents and child have been separated. If the child is not settling, the parent may wish to stay until the child feels more secure in the environment.
Excellent progress is made towards the Early Learning Goals with most children achieving them by the age of five and many children exceeding them. ISI Report
Firm foundations are laid in the essential skills and the weekly timetable is structured to guarantee a varied and exciting programme, which offers a wide range of practical experiences intended to motivate and stimulate.
Our experienced and qualified staff work closely with you to ensure that your child feels secure and confident. We encourage the children to explore, investigate and use their imagination through innovative and engaging activities, both inside and outside.
In addition, the Nursery children benefit from weekly lessons in Music, PE, ICT, French and a fortnightly visit to Balmore Park for a Forest School Session.
The standards of provision are excellent so that the setting provides a happy and stimulating environment of the highest quality. ISI Report
We aim to make parents feel comfortable and welcome through good communication and understanding. We hope that parents will feel able to discuss any matter concerning their child if and when it arises. Please remember we are working in a partnership with you. We hope you will enjoy the chance to share in your child’s first steps towards the open door of educational opportunity. Never hesitate to share anxieties or worries with your child’s teacher, and together we can make a smooth path through the Early Years at Caversham Preparatory School.
Assessment is statutory and continuous. All areas of your child’s development is observed, noted and discussed. Records are kept that develop a picture of your child’s progress and help us to plan for and support future learning.
Staff know their children very well and this enables them to vary tasks and activities to suit individual needs. ISI Report
All through the year records are kept on the children that include how they have settled, their relationships with their peer group and adults, as well as their progress and achievements. Any significant events are reported immediately to the Head Teacher and are recorded in the weekly Foundation Notes. Detailed assessment profiles or ‘Learning Journals’ are collated to cover the whole of the children’s Early Years Foundation Stage and a copy of these ‘first steps’ will be sent to you regularly so that you can see for yourself the progress that your child is making.
Systems to track the academic progress of all pupils, including those in the EYFS, are rigorous. ISI Report
Nursery Times
The Nursery starts at 8.00am
The Morning session finishes at 12 noon
The School day ends at 3.15pm for children attending both morning and afternoon sessions.
Option to stay to Aftercare until 6.00pm is available.
Children must attend full-time school from the beginning of the term in which they are five but the majority of our pupils attend full-time before this in order to take full advantage of the activities on offer.
Early Years Funding
Children who are 3 and 4 years old are eligible to receive Early Years Funding for up to 5 sessions per week, term time through the Nursery Voucher Scheme.
The school will apply for this at the beginning of each term on your behalf. The money is sent to the school and your account will be credited accordingly. The Early Years Funding ceases in the term after your child has turned 5 years old.
Nursery children can attend Holiday Clubs. There is always a qualified Nursery Nurse with full paediatric training working during the holidays. There is also a teacher on duty as the 'Senior' member of staff. Our Holiday Club is small and is not open to the public. Mostly younger children attend the Holiday Club. The timetable of activities is published prior to the club running and may involve a paddling pool in August or snow boots in February.
We run 9 weeks of Holiday Clubs made up of:
