Together we learn
Our Nursery
For many children, attending Nursery is the first time they spend significant time away from home. For that reason it is vital that the setting they attend makes them feel happy, secure and valued. Furthermore it is such an important time for your child to develop learning characteristics that will set them up for their educational journey ahead. It is where it all begins and a time of limitless exploration and growth. These early years are fundamental to embed learning habits and develop confidence.
We are an independent Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep School in Liphook, situated in 175 acres of stunning grounds in the South Downs National Park on the borders of Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex. Our vision is to teach children to collaborate, to be resourceful and to take charge of their own learning and to provide a welcoming environment in which to do so. We plan a curriculum that cultivates good habits and attitudes that will enable your child to become an eager and courageous learner. As your child progresses through the Nursery years, they will develop into a tenacious, imaginative and logical child who is self-aware, collaborative and inquisitive. The foundations of all of these traits are put in place from the moment your child walks through the Nursery door for the very first time. Above all, we aim to make your child’s time in Nursery a joyous experience. During their time with us their imagination will grow, their thoughts will become more complex and their understanding of the world around will unfold. The aim of our Nursery is to instil a love of learning that will set them up for the rest of their life.
Core Education
Our Nursery timetable is predominantly led by the children’s interests and is made up of mainly child-led learning time as well as forest school. Our expert Nursery Practitioners curate a wide range of activities for your child to engage with to help them develop prime development areas:
- Communication and language
- Physical development
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the world
- Expressive arts and design
At Highfield and Brookham, we pride ourselves on our impressive breadth of curriculum, supplying your child with plenty of new skills to discover. Alongside your child’s core education, they will be taught by our specialist subject teachers in swimming, PE, gymnastics, music and Spanish.
Child-initiated
Here at Highfield and Brookham, we have a real passion for and belief in child-initiated learning based on extensive research on how young children learn best. Your child will make decisions about what they want to do, where they want to do it, and what resources they will need. Crucially, the teachers participate as play partners identifying learning opportunities and skilfully responding to the children rather than leading the activities. This is all made possible because of our high staff-to-child ratios. It’s only when your child starts to apply independently what they have learnt that we know they have truly understood and engaged with what they have been taught.
We love the nursery and could not be happier that we chose it for our children.
Outdoor Learning
There is a plethora of evidence in support of outdoor learning and at Highfield and Brookham we see the proof of this every single day. Each of our Nursery rooms has direct access to our wonderful Nursery garden, which is fully equipped with a giant sandpit, mud kitchen and vegetable patch. Your child’s imagination will know no bounds as they explore and discover wonderful new things inside and out. Come rain or shine your child will be able to decide to go outdoors whenever they like, and we know that the lure of splashing in puddles or making mud pies means that children want to go outside whatever the weather. This is why waterproofs and wellington boots are staples in the Nursery wardrobe. One of the most popular activities in the garden is growing vegetables. Your child will plant, water and care for a variety of vegetables in the Nursery garden and, best of all, they will also get to harvest the produce and cook it in their very own kitchen.
With 175 acres of beautiful grounds, outdoor learning at Highfield and Brookham really has no limits. Your child will relish their time in their dedicated space at forest school, which is just a stone’s throw from their classroom door. Here they are free to explore and roam in our wondrous woodland as they hunt for the most magical minibeasts, build the most extravagant dens and craft the most elaborate leaf crowns. We want to engender a love of wildlife and respect for the natural environment in your child.
Free Flow
Your child will enjoy the freedom of free flow across all three of our Nursery rooms for a large proportion of the day. This is where all the children come together and are given the independence to explore their environment. During this time the younger children learn from their older peers, enhancing their language development and communication. Simultaneously, the older children learn valuable skills such as empathy as they take on the position of role models for their younger classmates. This combination of dedicated and shared space is a key factor in your child’s personal, emotional and educational growth.
Open-ended Resources
Our Nursery is purposefully equipped with an exciting variety of open-ended resources for your child to discover. The classrooms are carefully kitted out with blocks, loose parts and modelling resources. A toy fire engine is always a fire engine, but a pile of bricks could be an aeroplane carrying an important guest, a rocket on the hunt for life on mars or even an underground tunnel leading to an undiscovered land. The only limitation is your child’s imagination.
Food
We take food very seriously at Highfield and Brookham and your child will quickly find out why. We hire a fantastic Catering Team who keep your child’s energy at the optimum level so they can fully engage with everything that Nursery has to offer. At 10am your child will enjoy a morning snack on the carpet with their friends. This usually consists of fruit or a slice of our delicious homemade, reduced-sugar banana loaf.
Lunchbreak for our Nursery children is at 11.45am. The Tiny Bears, our very youngest children, enjoy lunch in their room, The Den, before settling down for a much-needed lunchtime nap. Our Little Bears and Big Bears don their gingham smocks and head across the courtyard to the main dining hall. Your child’s lunch is freshly prepared on site by our in-house chefs. Children are served at the table and always have the option to ask for more if they want it.
Mid-afternoon, children gather back on the carpet with the other Nursery children to enjoy a well-earned rest and snack. Cheese and crackers, sandwiches or breadsticks and humous are usually on offer to see them through to tea time.
Rooms
There are three specialist rooms in our Nursery – The Den, Woodlands and Meadows. The Den is home to our youngest cohort, Tiny Bears. This dedicated area, designed especially for our youngest children, allows your child to undertake age-appropriate activities which help them to develop independence, imagination and communication at a pace that is just right for them. Importantly, there is a dedicated space for your child to have their valuable daytime nap if they need it to ensure they are rejuvenated and ready for their afternoon adventures.
At the age of three, and when they are developmentally ready, your child will move up to either Meadows or Woodlands. Both rooms have a managed mix of our Little Bears and Big Bears so they can grow and learn together.
Logistics
Our Nursery is open for 35 weeks of the year. We welcome children from the age of two when they attend for a minimum of two mornings per week. As your child progresses into their final Nursery year, they will attend a minimum of three mornings per week, with lunch. This extended week helps with their readiness for the transition to Reception.
The morning sessions in Nursery run from 8.20am to 11.20am. You can choose for your child to stay for lunch, which the children take in our main dining hall at 11.45am. Collection is after lunch is at 12.20pm or 3.20pm if your child is staying for the full day.
Your child may attend on any days of the week where we have availability, and in any combination of morning, morning with lunch and full day sessions, up to full time, five days a week.
The Nursery Week
- 7.30am Breakfast club (Optional £)
- 8am Before-school care
- 8.20am Doors open
- 11.45am Lunch break
- 3.20pm School day ends
- 3.30pm After-school care (Optional £)
- 4.30pm Picnic tea and play (Optional £)
- 6.30pm Last pick up
Drop off
The doors to our Nursery are open for children at 8.20am. We know and completely understand that mornings can be busy for many families, with parents juggling school drop off, work and other commitments. It’s important that your child’s start to the day is calm and stress free to set them up for a successful say of learning. That’s why we offer an earlier 8am drop off option for those families who need it, at no extra charge.
Many of our families make use of our breakfast club, which opens for our Nursery children at 7.30am. Breakfast Club takes place in the main dining hall and your child will be spoilt for choice for what to have for breakfast. There is always a hot option such as beans on toast as well cereal, porridge, yoghurt, toast and fresh fruit. A truly hearty breakfast to kickstart them for their busy day in Nursery.
After School
The Nursery day draws to a close at 3.20pm. We have excellent after-school care provision that covers you if you need a later pick up.
As part of the after-school care programme, your child will have a fantastic choice of games and activities at their disposal. After-school care runs until 4.30pm.
For those families who need a later collection time we offer our ‘picnic tea and play’ session. A high tea will be served at 5pm with a selection of sandwiches, crudités, fromage frais and fruit on offer. Your child will be looked after until 6.30pm if required.
What we’re up to
Year 5 use their creativity and problem-solving skills as they compose in verse-chorus form using GarageBand. Instead of relying on pre-made loops, they’re putting their newly learned musical knowledge of primary and secondary chords into practice – creating original songs that are entirely their own. #TogetherWeCreate #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #IndependentSchool #CoEdSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #EssentialSkills
With a summer concert, HighFest, an informal concert at the Pre-Prep and cushion concerts still to come, it promises to be a busy end to a successful and fulfilling school year for our dedicated music teachers and their tuneful young charges. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWePerform #MusicConcerts #PerformingArts #IndependentSchoolsInHampshire #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Our girls were in fine form today as they welcomed their fellow cricketers from Edgeborough School for a series of fabulous matches played in fantastic spirit. While they have clearly progressed and shown improved technique with bat and ball week by week, what was most evident (and so pleasing) was just how much the idea of playing as a team means to the girls, who gave their all and were wholly supportive of each other throughout. Well done, girls, long may it continue! #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWePlay #TogetherWeSupport #PrepSchoolSport #GrassrootsCricket #CountryBoardingSchoolsInHampshire #Liphook #Hampshire #WestSussex #Surrey
This year’s Tatler Schools Awards voting form is now live. We would be truly grateful for your support, simply head to the bio above to find the link. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #Tatler #TatlerSchoolsGuide2025 #TatlerSchoolsAwards2025
The sun and the rain has sparked some wonderful growth to add another level of calmness and serenity to our dedicated wellbeing garden. The revamped space on the site of the old pond next to the prep school science labs is the latest addition to our pastoral portfolio and offers a tranquil retreat where children are encouraged to relax, chat and connect with one another during breaktimes. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeRecharge #TogetherWeCare #PastoralProvision #WellbeingGarden #Nursery #PrePrepSchool #PrepSchool #IndependentSchool
School trips are an invaluable part of a child’s learning journey, fostering independence, confidence and resilience as they provide real-world learning experiences outside the classroom. Our Year 6 children are this week in Suffolk, engaging in fieldwork to embellish their theoretical knowledge with practical application at the National Trust site of Flatford Mill. It follows hot on the heels of our scholars touching down in Fontanellato, where the children took to the Freedom Trail to follow in the footsteps of former Highfield and Brookham headmaster Peter Mills, who escaped from a German prisoner of war camp in northern Italy in 1943. The Year 8 children also took in a tour of the 12th Century Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and a trip to a cheese factory where the world-famous Parmigiano Reggiano is produced, as well as spending time with their Italian peers and catching up with old friends at Comprensivo di Fontanellato e Fontevivo, who send two pupils to Liphook for six weeks each year. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeLearn #SchoolTrips #IndependentSchoolsInHampshire #BoardingSchoolsInHampshire
Our upper prep children have safely negotiated the first day of a busy week of exams. With four more days to go, we know the conscientious girls and boys have prepared well and can achieve anything that they set their minds too. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeAchieve #ExamSeason #CountryBoardingSchoolsInHampshire #IndependentSchool #Liphook #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook
Children at Highfield and Brookham are not only being primed for academic success, they are being equipped with the essential skills needed to thrive in life beyond the classroom. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeLearn #TogetherWeThrive #IndependentSchoolsInHampshire #CountrySchoolsInHampshire #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #Liphook
The children on our Junior Cookery course whipped up a delicious Mexican feast today, guided by the brilliant cook Sophie Neish! They made Mexican corn salad with spicy beef mince, soft tortillas and finished with a tasty lemon drizzle cake. Along the way, they picked up valuable skills – cooking boosts maths and literacy, builds confidence and, most of all, it’s great fun! No wonder it’s such a popular holiday club. #HolidayClubs #LifeSkills #TogetherWeAchieve #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
The value of music in schools is immense, and it’s rightly been in the spotlight recently. At Highfield and Brookham, we see music as a vital part of school life. It builds confidence, creativity, focus, teamwork, and supports academic success. From rhythm games to choirs, ensembles and instrumental tasters, every child is included and inspired. Music helps children feel seen, heard, and empowered. Read more in our latest blog: bit.ly/45jDmv1. #MusicMatters #TogetherWeThrive #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Our new library furniture has arrived! We’ve created a warm, cosy and inviting environment where children can curl up with a good book, encouraging them to pause, relax, and immerse themselves in reading. According to the @booktrust, reading not only supports academic development, but boosts mental wellbeing, speech and social skills, imagination, empathy and creativity. #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #IndependentSchool #CoEdSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Today’s Multi-Activities club got off to a wild start in the woods with den building, swinging on ropes, mud pies, and even woodland pizzerias! There’s no limit to the imagination and fun when children are free to explore. Fresh air, friends, and the great outdoors. What better way to enjoy the school holidays? #TogetherWeExplore #LearnOutdoors #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #SchoolHolidayClub #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool
We were thrilled to welcome back Corylus Collective for another brilliant Nature Crafting course! Hannah and her team had the children exploring our Forest School, drawing artistic inspiration from the beautiful natural surroundings. From 3D outdoor artworks and butterfly tapestries to clay caterpillars and printmaking, there was creativity at every turn. Fresh air, nature and crafts…what a fabulous club! #NatureCrafting #OutDoorLearning #CreativeKids #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
The boarders have had a jam-packed first half of the summer term, finishing on a high with an incredible talent contest! From singing and music to magic and dancing, they (along with the Boarding Team) gave it their all in a fun-filled showdown. What a talented bunch they are. #ILoveBoarding #TogetherWeInspire #CountryBoardingSchool #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #WestSussex #Surrey
The weather definitely did not stop play today at the Multi-Activities Club! Great fun has been had by all the children, and it’s been a jam-packed day full of zip-lining, sports, crafts and swimming. All the children got stuck in and had an amazing time from start to finish. Smiles all around! #MultiActivitiesClub #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #HolidayClub #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Our amazing Year 4s wowed us all last week with their unforgettable production of Archibald’s War, brilliantly directed by Miss Ingamells. The children sang, danced, and acted their wartime socks off, first performing to the whole school, then delivering an exclusive show for proud parents. Our Head called it “a true triumph,” adding, “I couldn’t have been prouder of what the children accomplished.” Bravo, Year 4! #TogetherWeThrive #TogetherWeAchieve #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Yesterday, Year 7 visited the @the_globe and watched a one-of-a-kind performance of Romeo and Juliet, a classic Shakespearean text with a Wild West twist! Not only did they enjoy an incredible production, but they also explored this historic venue and even tried on some costumes. This inspiring trip ties into their current English text, King of Shadows by Susan Cooper. What a way to bring literature to life! #Shakespeare #GlobeTheatre #TogetherWeInspire #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdIndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Year 1 were buzzing with creativity this morning in an interactive literacy session. Using picture prompts, they built imaginative sentences, structured stories and shared their joyful tales with the class. Today’s Essential Skill focus was Aiming High and they certainly did. #Literacy #AimingHigh #CreativeClassroom #EssentialSkills #TogetherWeLearn #CoEdSchool #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
A beautiful performance at our Cushion Concert this week by one of our talented Year 6 pupils. These weekly concerts are informal events where we invite parents into school to enjoy their children’s musical talents in a relaxed setting. Music is woven into the fabric of life at Highfield and Brookham, and we see it as a vital part of nurturing well-rounded, confident children and supporting academic learning. #TogetherWeInspire #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentCountrySchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
After a busy morning of swimming with their parents watching on, our Nursery children were more than ready for a hearty lunch. Bangers and mash with lots of vegetables were perfect for hungry children and went down a treat! Lots of happy faces and full tummies – all thanks to our fabulous kitchen team for another delicious and nutritious meal. #TogetherWeGrow #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdIndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex.
We love hearing from our Old Highfieldians. Recently, we had the absolute pleasure of welcoming back Olivia, who was with us from 2006 to 2016 to hear about her journey since leaving Highfield and Brookham and the lasting friendships and memories she still treasures. It’s something we hear time and time again from generations of leavers – there’s just something magical about the school and being part of the Highfield and Brookham community. #HighfieldandBrookhamMagic #OldHighfieldians #HighfieldandBrookhamMemories #CoEdIndependentSchool #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Yesterday featured back-to-back House tennis matches across all year groups, with plenty of friendly rivalry on the courts. As always, the spirit of competition was high and the matches closely contested. The winning House will be announced shortly. Good luck to all! #TogetherWeAchieve #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
The IPQ Exhibition on Saturday was fantastic. Our Year 8 pupils proudly presented their IPQ projects to parents, staff and visiting senior school representatives. It was a wonderful showcase of their hard work and great preparation for senior school. Well done Year 8! #TogetherWeAchieve #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #IndepenedentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #CoEdSchool Bedales School Canford School Charterhouse School Churcher’s College Cranleigh School Downe House School Gordonstoun Seaford College Sherborne Boys
Deputy Head Kerri Wilkes explains how our bespoke skills-based education programme is empowering young minds with the skills they need for today, and tomorrow. Click on the link in our bio above to read our Essential Skills blog. #TogetherWeLearn #TogetherWeInspire #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdIndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex