St Edmund's
How to Apply – Woodland Nursery & Pre-Prep (2-7)
The majority of children start at St Edmund’s Pre-Prep School in the Nursery, although children can join any class as long as there are spaces available.
Woodland Nursery at St Edmund’s
Parents are invited to have a tour of the school with Sarah Bartholomew, Head of Nursery & Pre-Prep. They can then register their child and bring them along for a Nursery session so that we can make sure they are ready to enjoy all the opportunities we offer. We also make an informal assessment of their readiness to play and learn harmoniously with others. Once a place has been offered and confirmed, children are invited to attend pre-entry sessions with their parents. These sessions help new pupils to become familiar with the setting and the staff so they are confident for their parents to leave when term begins. Places in Nursery are allocated in order of registration. We encourage all our Nursery children to progress through the Pre-Prep.
Children aged two to five years joining the Nursery are entitled to Free Early Education Funding of up to 15 hours each week. At St Edmund’s, parents can claim three hours per day between 8.30am-11.30am with any extra hours charged at our normal fee rate. We recommend that children attend for a minimum of three mornings per week, as in our experience this helps them to settle and make friends.
Nursery children have a choice of sessions: 8.30am–12 noon, 8.30am–1.30pm (with lunch), or the full day from 8.30am to 3.30pm. Children can attend Nursery just for the Free Early Education hours (15 hours per week) from 8.30am-11.30am each morning. There is no cost for this option. However there is a late fee if your child is not picked up at 11.30am of £25 per day, and there is no option for children to stay beyond these hours. Nor can sessions be extended into the afternoons as the child becomes older. Parents are advised that school events and services are scheduled for afternoons.
Reception – Years 1 and 2
Parents are invited to tour the school with the Head of Pre-Prep. Then they can register their child and bring them along for a morning or day in school so that we can assess their progress in literacy and numeracy, and general attitude to learning and consideration of others. In this way, we hope to ensure that all children can enjoy their time in school together and progress to the best of their ability. Whilst our standards and expectations are high, we accommodate children with a wide spread of abilities and talents and aim to provide appropriate challenge for them all. Once a place has been offered and confirmed, children are invited to attend pre-entry sessions. These help new pupils to become familiar with the setting and staff so they are more confident when they start.
Registration
Parents may register their child for St Edmund’s Nursery and Pre-Prep at any time before or after a visit by completing the online registration form here, together with a non-refundable £100 registration fee. Your son or daughter’s name is then added to the provisional list for entry in the term indicated.
Admissions contacts
Andrea Strong, Head of Admissions, will be happy to arrange for you to meet the Head of Pre-Prep and take a tour of the school. Email: admissions@stedmunds.org.uk or telephone: 01227 475601.