Nursery and Pre-School

nursery (2-3 years)

Children are welcome to join our Nursery from the moment they turn two. Because of the higher staff‑to‑child ratios required for this age group, places for two‑year‑olds are limited and offered subject to availability. While most children join us in September, January, or April, we are pleased to welcome children at any point in the year once they reach their second birthday, provided space is available.

We understand that every family’s routine is different, so we offer a range of options to help you find the rhythm that works best:

• Morning sessions
• Full-day places
• Comfortable nap times for children who need rest during the day

Our Nursery provides a warm, caring, and stimulating environment designed specifically for two‑ and three‑year‑olds. Here, children are encouraged to explore freely, develop independence, build friendships, and discover the joy of learning through play. Every child is supported at their own pace, helping them grow in confidence as they take their first steps into school life.

PRE-SCHOOL (3-4 years)

The natural next step from our Nursery, and a welcoming entry point for children joining Banstead Prep ahead of starting school.

Our Pre‑School offers a warm, nurturing, and stimulating environment for three‑ to four‑year‑olds. These early years are essential for building strong foundations, so we focus on four key areas of development: physical, cognitive, emotional, and social. Children are supported and celebrated as they grow in confidence, independence, and readiness for Reception.

Learning is creative, active, and full of discovery. Through hands‑on experiences and imaginative play, children develop curiosity and a genuine love of learning.

Our approach nurtures:

Independence
Confidence
Collaboration
Positive engagement with the world around them

To enrich their week, the timetable includes specialist PE sessions three times a week, supporting coordination, physical confidence, and a healthy enthusiasm for being active.

SESSIONS

Our Early Years curriculum is designed to provide a rich and varied learning experience through a balance of structured activities and play. Children benefit from specialist teaching in subjects such as Music and PE, alongside time in our outdoor learning spaces and Forest School sessions.

To make the most of everything our setting offers, we encourage children to attend full time, especially as they move through Pre-school, so they can enjoy the full range of learning opportunities and develop strong routines ahead of starting Reception. Session patterns can be discussed on an individual basis, though we would expect all Pre-school children to be attending full time during the summer term before Reception.

Morning session: 8:00am – 12:00pm
Morning session with lunch: 8:00am – 1:00pm
Full day: 8:00am – 3:00pm

We offer Breakfast club from 7:30am and after school care until 6:00pm (5:00pm on Fridays) is also available.

If you wish to use the Free Early Education Funding, we can accommodate up to 3 hours per morning session, from 8:00am to 11:00am each day.

VISIT US

We’d love to welcome you to Banstead Prep and show you everything our school has to offer.

We offer individual tours during term time by appointment. To arrange your visit, please contact our Head of Admissions, Katie Henderson, by sending an enquiry, emailing admissions@bansteadprep.com, or calling 01737 363600.

Throughout the year, we also host Open Days, Stay and Play sessions, and other admissions events — a great way to explore our school and meet our staff and children.

Find out more on our Visit Us page

Make an enquiry

Our admissions team will be in touch to find out more about your family and chat about the next steps.

Enquire