Welcome from our Headteacher

We are really excited to have the opportunity to open a Preschool for 3 & 4 year olds in our wonderful Infant School. We believe strongly that the first years of a child's life are the most important and lay the foundations for all future success. Scientific research is extensive and supports the view that the first five years of childhood are more pivotal for development and future health and happiness, than any other single moment in our lifetime. Our dedicated staff team are experts in early years learning and consider it a privilege to be able to work with young children at this critical time in their lifelong learning journey.  

Our school has an excellent reputation within the community and feels privileged to play such an important role in so many children's lives. Historically we have received our intake of children from many different preschools across the city and we are excited about the opportunity of getting to know our children even sooner and having the chance to make even more of an impact on their future. 

What will a day in preschool look like?

Children can expect a fun filled day of learning through high quality play. The indoor classroom will have a wide range of resources including role play, construction, a creative area, reading corner, sand and water play, playdoh and much more!  There will be opportunities to develop speaking and listening skills, fine motor alongside building relationships with their friends. Outside their classroom the children will have a dedicated, purpose built play area where they can develop physical skills, be imaginative and have fun! They will also have access to our other play areas including our sensory garden and fabulous woodland area. 

We are very fortunate to have a beautiful woodland area which our preschool children will be able to access regularly - the opportunities to play and learn are endless! For many of our current children it is their favourite place in school. 

Click here to see more of our outdoor spaces. 

More details...

You can read a letter here which contains more details and many FAQs.

Here are the answers to some of the most common questions:-

When will the Preschool open at Nether Green Infant School?

We are planning to open our Preschool in January 2026.

Can I use my Free Childcare Hours?

Yes! All children aged 3-4 years are entitled to 15 hours free child care; many are now entitled to 30 free hours. These can be used to enable free Preschool sessions.

30 free hours from September 2025…

My child is entitled to the new 30 hours free child care – can they have 30 hours free at Nether Green?

Yes! Parents who are eligible for the new ‘30 Hours Free Child Care’ would be able to fund the additional 15 hours using this to access a full time Preschool place 8:40am – 3:10pm, Monday- Friday with just a small fee to pay for lunchtime .

My child is not eligible for the full 30 hours but we’d like them to attend full time – is this an option?

Yes. Parents not eligible for 30 hours could choose to fund an additional 15 hours themselves if they wanted their child to be full time - this would be charged at a competitive rate in accordance with the fees of local early years providers (there would be no fees during school holidays). 

When can the Free Early Learning hours be used?

Learning builds sequentially for young children so to optimise this the sessions led by a qualified teacher will be the hours available as ‘free funded childcare’. Parents will be able to choose one of the following options:-

• Part time 15 hours at the beginning of the week -Monday morning – Wednesday lunchtime
• Part time 15 hours at the end of the week -Wednesday afternoon – Friday afternoon
• 30 hours from Monday morning to Friday afternoon (this can be fully funded for those parents who are entitled to 30 free hours or part funded with 15 free hours and 15 hours funded by parents).

What hours will my child be able to attend?

The Preschool set hours will be as follows:-

• Morning session: 8:40-11:40am
• Lunchtime: 11:40am-12:10pm (there will be a small cost to cover staffing; children can bring a packed lunch or pay for a school dinner)
• Afternoon session: 12:10pm – 3:10pm

What if my child needs additional childcare outside of the school day?

• Parents will be able to book and pay for places in our Early Years Wraparound Care provision which will run as follows:-
  • Breakfast Club 7:30-8:40am
  • After School Club 3:10 -6:00pm
• After School Club will be run within the foundation stage for Preschool and Reception children so that children continue to access a familiar environment. 

Can I use childcare vouchers to pay for Wrap Around Care?

Yes – parents who are eligible for tax free childcare vouchers can use these to pay for our Breakfast and After School Clubs. More info on Tax-free childcare vouchers can be found here.

How many weeks a year can my child attend?

The Preschool will be open in line with the whole school calendar taking school holidays and INSET days with the rest of the school; this will also be in line with Nether Green Junior School calendar dates.

How many places will there be?

The Preschool will offer 26 full time places which can be made up of a combination of children attending 15 or 30 hours each week.

What are the benefits for my Preschool child?

• A Preschool education that is led by an experienced qualified teacher and supported by a team of highly skilled teaching assistants.
• A smooth transition into full time schooling (Reception) for your child by becoming familiar with the staff, learning environment and routines of school.
• We currently take children from a number of nurseries and Preschools. In the past we have found the experiences that children are offered are quite varied. Many Reception children spend a considerable amount of time in the Autumn term developing skills which would have eased this transition into school; by enabling children into school earlier we will be able to ensure that these children are ‘ready for school’ in terms of their social and emotional skills as well as their academic abilities. Less time in Reception will be spent on teaching independence and basic skills, enabling more time to be spent on developing the skills of reading, writing and maths,  therefore raising standards overall by the end of the Foundation Stage.
• For families with other school age children Preschool sessions will match our school day and also enable those with children at the junior school to drop off in time.
• The yearly whole school calendar will link directly to the preschool dates and Nether Green Junior School dates meaning siblings are in school and on holiday at the same time.

Full letter with further information and questions