Cheltenham Prep School Pre-Prep

PRE-PREP NURSERY TO YEAR 2

Welcome to Cheltenham Pre-Prep At Cheltenham Pre-Prep we take great pride in bringing wonder and joy into every learning experience. Our approach is holistic, and we believe in working with families to promote in children a lifelong love of learning, to develop curiosity about the world around us and to show compassion toward others.

Our beautiful environment is the best place for children to begin their journey and our skilled and experienced team bring warmth and laughter into every moment.

The Nursery School and Pre-Prep are safe and inspiring spaces where we nurture the intellectual, spiritual, physical and emotional wellbeing of all our children.

Manners, thoughtfulness and good humour are attributes we hold dear. The happiness of our pupils, as well as the strong sense of family is present throughout the Pre-Prep, which we promote through caring and respectful relationships built on integrity and kindness.

Engendering confidence and self-esteem in the children we teach allows them to thrive and achieve wonderful outcomes.

The very best way to experience Cheltenham Pre-Prep is to come and play with us! I look forward to welcoming your children and family into our community.

Mrs Rebecca Hughes-Noon, Head of Cheltenham Pre-Prep

Cheltenham Nursery School Nestled amongst the trees on The Prep site, Cheltenham Nursery School has been specifically designed to provide a warm and supportive, state of the art environment in which your child can grow and begin their educational journey.

Children at The Nursery School are cared for by expert EYFS staff, receiving highly individualised attention and nurturing.

They also benefit from The Prep site, with access to a fabulous woodland area for Outdoor Learning sessions, as well as our extensive sports facilities for PE lessons.

In addition to developing their numeracy and literacy, our children enjoy French, Drama and Music lessons, taught by subject specialists, as well as regular wellbeing and mindfulness sessions.

When can my child start at Cheltenham Nursery School?

How can I prepare my child for Cheltenham Nursery School?

Children can join us from the term in which they turn three.

To help your child make the most of their time at Nursery, we encourage families to support them in developing independence before they start. A key part of this is being confident with using the toilet on their own, as this allows children to fully participate in our busy day of activities and learning. Supporting your child’s independence whether in toileting, putting on their coat, or trying new experiences will help them to feel happy, confident, and ready to join in with everything we have to offer.

Can I use government funding?

Yes, of course. We accept up to 15 government funded hours a week, up until your child turns five years old.

How many days per week can my child attend Nursery School?

We require a commitment of a minimum of two days per week, although many of our children come every day, Monday to Friday!

When can I drop off and pick up my child?

We know that our parents are often very busy having to fit in their drop off and pick up times around busy work schedules. To support you, we open our doors for drop off at 8.00am and we are able to offer a timetable for your child ending at 6.00pm if needed.

How does Cheltenham Nursery School help my child transition to Reception?

All our children in the Nursery School are part of an in-depth transition programme. During the Summer Term, our Fledglings (children moving up to Reception) will participate in weekly activities with Pre-Prep staff in their classrooms and playground areas. Nursery School children will also join assemblies with Mr O’Sullivan, Head, and our Pre-Prep pupils.

Reception Children move up into Reception eager and excited to learn, having been introduced to life in Pre-Prep in the Summer Term of Nursery School.

In Reception, you will witness your child come on leaps and bounds with their reading and writing. Confidence is crucial to this, and our small class sizes ensure your child receives individual attention to develop and flourish. Class teachers and teaching assistants are able to pick up on your child’s moods, interests and needs.

Our teachers encourage the children to have control over aspects of their learning and to practise their decision-making.

Reception children leave the Summer Term having widened their knowledge of the world around them, with a sense of responsibility and pride in all that they do.

Years 1 and 2 These two years provide crucial preparation for entry into Lower School and will see children develop greatly in their understanding of the world around them and in their awareness of others.

Our creative curriculum expands to include subject-specific topic work covering Geography, History and Religious Education, whilst weekly Science lessons help the children gain hands-on experience of scientific concepts.

Classes remain small, with each child having personal achievement targets that are set in negotiation with their teacher and shared with parents.

As well as discovering nature during Outdoor Learning sessions, pupils in Year 2 have the opportunity to begin fully participating in sports fixtures too. Children have the opportunity to try Hockey, Netball, Rugby, Football and many more!

Discovering The World Around Us Every day is full of activities in Pre-Prep. As we move through the years, children will take part in them all, including Music, Drama, Wellbeing, Sport, Art and French.

Drama and Music subject specialist teachers inspire the children throughout the year, working towards Drama performances and Music Concerts. These are held each term for all Pre-Prep year groups, giving the children the chance to show off their acting, singing, performance and dancing skills.

A wide variety of extra-curricular activities, trips and visitors compliment learning inside the classrooms, expanding horizons

and introducing each child to experiences which support their wider holistic development.

Children are encouraged to take risks, ask questions, be curious and most of all have fun! They are in the safest hands possible with their brilliant teachers and the most is made of every day and every opportunity.

Outdoor Learning, wellbeing and mindfulness are central to our ethos of educating the whole child and our beautiful site and location in the Cotswolds lends itself perfectly to a childhood which allows each individual to flourish.

ONTO THE NEXT ADVENTURE

Cheltenham College Prep School Thirlestaine Road Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL53 7AB Tel: +44 (0) 1242 522 697 Email: prep.reception@cheltenhamcollege.org cheltenhamcollege.org/the-prep Registered Charity No. 311720