Early Years and Lower Prep

Preparatory

Most of the children who join the Reception Class move into it from The Lodge Day Nursery preschool class, but children are also welcomed from elsewhere from the September following their fourth birthday. Attendance from this age is on a full-time basis. In the Reception Class, the children continue the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum begun in the Nursery.

The staff aim to give every child a first-class start to their education through the opportunity to learn in a happy, relaxed atmosphere which encourages the development of confidence in all aspects of school life. We nurture the awareness of others’ needs and encourage a growing understanding of what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. Outside the classroom, there are opportunities to take part in visits and after school clubs.

The children are taught by well-qualified staff, who care for them as individuals and aim to meet their needs, so they can develop their full potential. Emphasis is placed on the acquisition of the basic skills of numeracy and literacy in the context of a broad curriculum which encourages creativity and personal development. There are extensive opportunities for practical learning experiences. The children are taught on the whole by their form teacher, but there is some specialist teaching in Music, French, Computing, PE, Games and Swimming.

Throughout the Prep School, there are at least two parallel classes in each year group; these small classes benefitting the children. Contact with parents is actively sought, so an effective partnership between home and the School is established. Parents receive written reports and Parents’ Evenings are held at various times during the academic year.  

At the end of Year 2, the children move across to the upper part of the Prep which is situated on the opposite side of the playground.

The School Day: Reception – Year 2

School starts at 8.35am and finishes at 3.30pm for this part of the school. The school is open from 8.30am and children may arrive from this time. All children have a school lunch, the cost of which, for a child in Reception, Year 1, 2 or 3, is included in the fees. Ipswich School lessons take place Monday to Friday.

Morning break 10.30am – 10.45am
Lunchtime break 12.15pm – 1.30pm

Breakfast Club: Reception – Year 6

A supervised Breakfast Club for children in Reception to Year 6 is available from 7.45am to 8.30am, held in Lower Prep. Children are able to choose from a range of cereals, toast, juice and tea. Pupils should be booked in a minimum of 24 hours in advance to ensure a place is available. To book a place for Reception to 6 please call Lower Prep Reception on 01473 281302. Childcare vouchers can be used as part payment for Breakfast Club fees. For details of charges please see our fee information.

Late Stay: Reception – Year 2

Children in Lower Prep, including Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 may stay after 3.30pm until 5.30pm at an additional cost. For details of charges, please see our fee information. Childcare vouchers can be used as part payment for Late Stay fees.

Entry Procedure: Reception – Year 2

For entry to Reception, preference is given to pupils in the The Lodge Day Nursery preschool class. Other places for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are offered to external applicants on the basis of an age and stage appropriate assessment, based on potential in Literacy and Numeracy and appropriate behaviour.

Ages for entry to the school are taken from 1 September, so children join the Reception class in the September following their fourth birthday. Preference is given to September entry and entry at other points in the year cannot be guaranteed. Similarly, children will be 5 years old by 1 September for entry to Year 1 and age 6 for entry to Year 2.

We offer 15 hours Early Education Funding.