Pre-Prep Department

We have two thriving Pre-prep departments at Alleyn Court, one in Westcliff serving the west side of Southend and one in Thorpe Bay on the Main School site. There are 3 classes on each site: Pre-Nursery (2¹/₂ to 3), Nursery (3 to 4) and Kindergarten (4 to 5). All classes have 2 fully qualified Montessori Early Years’ Teachers supported by classroom assistants. With no class exceeding 20 pupils the generous teacher/pupil ratio always guarantees personal and individualised care and teaching.

Although school begins at 9.00 a.m. children start to arrive from 8.30 onwards. During this settling down period a number of activities take place like playing with the toys, drawing, reading and individual work with the teacher. There is a set timetable for each day, which includes supervised staggered breaks (with fruit and a drink) and lunchtimes.

The school day finishes for Pre-Nursery and Nursery children at 12.00 noon. However, at the start of Nursery children can be full time if you wish. Alternatively, whilst attending for the required 5 mornings they can start to build up afternoons during this Nursery year. The day finishes at 3.00 p.m. for Nursery and Kindergarten.

We feel it is important that parents can speak to the teachers on a daily basis. Therefore when you bring and fetch your child, you go right into the classroom. To ensure maximum security the entrance to both Pre-preps is always manned at the start and end of each school session.