Pre-Prep EYFS (Age 2-5)

Children receive an excellent start to their education in our Pre-Prep department.

Primary education is the most important phase of any person’s life. Everything you can or can’t do as an adult is rooted in primary-age experiences; be that work-ethic, moral code, self-confidence, determination or academic application. This is certainly the phase to invest in, to ensure your child is best prepared for their own extraordinary journeys through life.

Our Montessori philosophy and the school’s traditional values enable children to thrive at their own pace and blossom within our nurturing and stimulating environment, enhanced by our expansive outdoor spaces including the Tudor walled garden, the woodland and lake. 

Children attend the Early Years from the age of 2 to 5. We have a Lower Nursery, Upper Nursery and Reception. Throughout the year we provide many opportunities for the whole Pre-Prep community to come together to celebrate events and to utilise our shared facilities. 

Our day

Life in the Nursery starts between 8.30-9.00 a.m. and at 8.30 a.m. for the Reception children.  Morning school finishes at 12 noon and day school finishes at 3.00 p.m. Collection time offers the opportunity to talk to class teachers and share the day's events. Morning school includes a healthy snack and day school provides a hot nutritious lunch.

Lower Nursery - Age 3 during the academic year

Our Lower Nursery classes are Tinkerbell and Peter Pan. Children celebrate their third birthday in this class. Class sizes are small with a maximum of 12 children allowing the two class teachers to welcome and nurture each child into the Alleyn Court family. Children attend a minimum of two morning sessions where they can play and explore in our stimulating indoor and outdoor areas ensuring their independence, curiosity and confidence,  flourishes.  

Upper Nursery – Age 4 during the academic year

Our Nursery classes are Mickey and Minnie. Children celebrate their fourth birthday in this class. Class sizes are a maximum of 20 children. The two class teachers and early years staff continue working with children on a one to one basis whilst also fulfilling their need to socialise, play and learn. With a little more structure to the day, children have weekly phonics and maths lessons alongside the Montessori curriculum and explore topics of interest. Children attend a minimum of four sessions. During morning school there is increasing focus on more academic activities. After lunch and rest time the children continue to enjoy a range of activities from art and craft to imaginative and physical play.  Specialist teachers take weekly Drama and Music lessons. 

There are five after school clubs available to the Upper Nursery children; gymnastics, ballet, tennis, football and multisport.  

Reception – Age 5 during the academic year

Our Reception classes are called Paddington and Winnie the Pooh. Children celebrate their fifth birthday in this class. Classes are a maximum of 20 children and are led by their class teacher and support from an Early years Practitioner (EYP). Children's learning transitions from Montessori roots towards a more traditionally academic approach to ensure they are prepared and eager for their next stage of Alleyn Court. Within this transition we continue to embrace children's independence, self-confidence and positive approach to learning, encouraging them to take risks and challenge their skills and ability. Children must attend a minimum of 5 mornings and two afternoons, increasing to full-time by the term of their 5th birthday. 

Specialist teachers take weekly French, Art, Drama, Music and P.E. lessons. 

There are five after school clubs available to the reception children; gymnastics, ballet, tennis, football and multisport. They can also attend Breakfast Club from 7.30 a.m. and following one of the above clubs, Prep until 4.45 p.m.

Montessori

The Montessori approach starts from the fundamental belief that all children are unique individuals with potential to learn. The Montessori methodology offers children freedom to make choices, encourages them to respect others and their environment and to take pride in their accomplishments. There are fives areas of the Montessori curriculum, Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Maths and Cultural. Our school aims are supported through our Montessori ethos where children’s independence, confidence, curiosity, creativity, resilience, risk-taking and love of learning is promoted and accomplished.  In conjunction with many other Parent Information Sessions, we invite parents in to learn more about this inspiring approach on joining the school. 

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

The EYFS is a statutory framework that sets standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to five. There are seven areas of learning and development, three prime and four specific. We provide both child and adult initiated learning and play activities in our indoor and outdoor environments to work towards the Early learning Goals. The Montessori ethos compliments the EYFS principles and themes perfectly, celebrating the unique child, forming positive relationships and offering an enabling environment where learning and development thrives.