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.

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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.

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Pre-Prep

Prep School

Admissions

What we’re up to

7 hours ago

We were thrilled to see three of our Old Highfieldians graduate together this summer from the University of Nottingham. 2016 leavers Ben and Harry (Politics and International Relations) and Meg (International Relations and Asian Studies) have each achieved so much, and it was wonderful to hear from them. Even more heartening is how their Highfield and Brookham friendships have remained strong, despite attending different senior schools, a true testament to the lifelong bonds formed here. Congratulations to all three. #OldHighfieldians #AlumniSuccess #UniversityGraduation #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

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3 days ago

Just one week to go! We’re incredibly grateful for the kind support we’ve received so far for the Tatler Schools Awards. With voting closing on 29th August, there’s still a little time left to cast your vote. If you haven’t voted and would like to, we’d be sincerely thankful for your support. You can find the link in our bio above. #OneWeekLeft #TatlerSchoolsAwards #TogetherWeGrow #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

4 days ago

To our 2022 leavers – we’re thinking of you on #GCSEResultsDay. We’re so proud of everything you’ve achieved. All your hard work, determination and resilience will shine through today. This is just the beginning of an exciting journey, and we can’t wait to see where it takes you. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeThrive #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex @bedalesschool @benendenschool @bradfield_college @bryanstonschool @canfordschool @charterhousesch @cranleighschool @epsomcollegeuk @eton.college @thekingsschoolcanterbury @lancing_college @lordwandsworth @marlboroughcollege @oundleschool @rgs_guildford @seafordcollege @sherbornegirls St Mary’s School Ascot @stswithunsgirls @wellingtoncollege @winchestercollege

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5 days ago

From throwing and catching to running, dodging and scoring, the children have been immersed in a whirlwind of fun and fitness on this week’s Multi-Sports course with the team at Assure Coaching. They have explored a variety of sports and games; from hockey, basketball, athletics, tennis, dodgeball, capture the flag, and even the classic duck, duck, goose. It’s been a week full of new skills, boosted confidence, and most importantly, loads of laughter and teamwork. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeAchieve #HolidaySportsCourses #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

6 days ago

We are looking forward to our first Open Morning of the academic year on Saturday 27th September. Experience a magical education that lasts a lifetime – meet our Head, tour with our pupils, and see how we foster academic excellence and confidence in a unique and inspirational environment. Book here: bit.ly/47xa7po #TogetherWeGrow #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

6 days ago

Our wonderful Nature Crafting course, led by Hannah and her creative team @coryluscollective is in full bloom this week! The children have been exploring summer flowers and learning how they grow and turning them into beautiful, nature-inspired crafts. They’ve learnt lots of new crafting skills, including flower pressing, transfer printing, decorating lanterns with petals and making leaf crowns from tulip poplar leaves. The perfect summer holiday creative course, combining nature appreciation and fun hands-on learning. #TogetherWeGrow #LearnOutdoors #CreativeHolidayCourses #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

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7 days ago

Here’s a look back at Year 8 2024-25. #TogetherWeGrow #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

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1 weeks ago

We are looking forward to our first Open Morning of the academic year on Saturday 27th September. Experience a magical education that lasts a lifetime – meet our Head, tour with our pupils, and see how we foster academic excellence and confidence in a unique and inspirational environment. Book your place through the link in the bio above. #TogetherWeGrow #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

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1 weeks ago

We were absolutely delighted to welcome Old Highfieldian Harriet back to school! Harriet was with us from 2006 to 2015, and it was such a treat to catch up. We always love hearing from our alumni – discovering where life has taken them, what they’re doing now, and how their time at Highfield & Brookham has shaped their path. Harriet shared some truly heartwarming memories and stories from her school days, reminding us why so many hold their time at Highfield & Brookham close to heart. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeInspire #HighfieldAndBrookhamMemories #OldHighfieldians #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

740

2 weeks ago

Our Senior Cookery holiday course was a recipe for success today! The children spent a wonderful day learning new skills under the expert guidance of cook Sophie Neish, with mouth-watering aromas drifting from the room. They cooked up a real feast, from a flavour-packed ramen to homemade pork dumplings, fresh cheese bagels and a summer berry drizzle cake. The best part? Their lucky families get to enjoy the results at home! #TogetherWeCook #TogetherWeGrow #LifeSkills #HolidayActivities #SchoolHolidayClubs #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

2 weeks ago

To our Old Highfieldians on #ALevelResultsDay, we’re cheering you on and can’t wait to see your next chapter unfold. Bryanston School Benenden School Canford School Charterhouse School Churcher’s College Cranleigh School Eastbourne College Eton College Epsom College Hurstpierpoint College Marlborough College Oundle School Radley College Seaford College Sherborne Boys Sherborne Girls Wellington College Worth School #TogetherWeGrow #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #IndependentSchool #CoEd #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

360

2 weeks ago

Here’s a look back at Year 7 2024-25. #TogetherWeGrow #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

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2 weeks ago

This week, we are pleased to welcome back the wonderful team from Corylus Collective for our Nature Days holiday course. The children are spending their days in our magical woodland, enjoying den building, treasure hunts, woodland walks, making campfire treats, crafts, stories and more. Fresh air, new skills and endless adventures. #HolidayActivities #SchoolHolidayClubs #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

2 weeks ago

The stage is set. Our Performing Arts course burst into life this morning with a toe-tapping Matilda-inspired session, led by the brilliant Mrs Wilson, drawing on her extensive West End experience. Over two action-packed days, children will explore songs, scenes, choreography and performance techniques from two iconic musicals – all building to a dazzling showcase for parents. Not only is it tonnes of fun, but it’s an incredible opportunity to grow in confidence, creativity and teamwork. #HolidayActivities #TogetherWePerfom #TogetherWeInspire #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

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2 weeks ago

Highreach is in full swing this year, this week-long residential for children aged 8-18 with disabilities makes a big impact. They get to enjoy our facilities like the pool, theatre, woodlands and Astro. Plus have lots of fun activities including horseback riding, trips to the seaside and a theme park visit. The holidaymakers are supported by trained staff and volunteers, many of whom are Old Highfieldians. The Highreach team loves seeing all the happy faces, it’s a fun and rewarding week for everyone involved. #HighreachHolidays #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

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2 weeks ago

Here’s a look back at Year 6 2024-25. #TogetherWeGrow #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

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3 weeks ago

Looking for fun and exciting ways to entertain your kids over the holidays – look no further, we’ve got some amazing holiday activity courses lined up! Whether your child loves sports, crafting, dance, performing arts or exploring nature, there’s something just for them. Places are filling up fast, so don’t wait! Grab one of the last places now by clicking the link: https://bit.ly/4kNBfmX #HolidayActivities #SchoolHolidayClubs #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

3 weeks ago

This year’s leavers are off to 31 top senior schools! As a truly independently run prep school, we’re proud to offer unbiased advice and strong relationships with a wide breadth of leading senior schools near and far. We’re here to guide and support you in finding the perfect next step for your child’s education and your family. #TogetherWeGrow #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex @bedalesschool @brightoncollegeuk @bryanstonschool @canfordschool @charterhousesch @churchers1722 @cranleighschool @epsomcollegeuk @eton.college @gordonsschofficial @ipswich_school @london_park_schools @lordwandsworth @marlboroughcollege @miltonabbey @noadswood_sch @oundleschool @priorsfieldschool @qas_caversham @radleycollegeoxon @rgs_guildford @rugbyschool1567 @seafordcollege @sherbornegirls @sherborneboys @stedwardsoxford @wellingtoncollege

570

3 weeks ago

Who doesn’t love a bit of dressing up. Pirate escapades, including a treasure hunt for the children at our amazing Highreach Holidays residential camp. Big smiles all round. #HighreachHolidays #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

580

3 weeks ago

With the school holidays well underway, you may be looking for fun and engaging activities for your children. We only have a few places left on some of our incredible courses, so don’t miss out. To save your place, book now by following the link in our bio. #HolidayActivities #SchoolHolidayClubs #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

3 weeks ago

Here’s a look back at Year 5 2024-25. #TogetherWeGrow #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

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3 weeks ago

Here’s a look back at Year 4 2024-25. #TogetherWeGrow #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

190

4 weeks ago

We were thrilled to welcome back Old Highfieldian Rebecca Lidh Faijersson this week. Visiting from Sweden with her family, Rebecca was excited to return to the school that she attended as an overseas pupil for one life-changing term in 1993. She spoke warmly of the lasting memories, friendships, and the positive impact her time here had on her life. It was truly inspiring to hear how Highfield and Brookham’s community continues to resonate with its former pupils, even decades later. #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

731

4 weeks ago

It’s been a jam-packed, fun-filled week on our Multi-Sports course led by the energetic and enthusiastic team at Assure Coaching. From football and tennis to dodgeball, bench-ball, basketball and cricket, the children threw themselves into every activity, learning new skills, growing in confidence and making new friends along the way. #HolidayActivities #SummerHolidayCourses #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

4 weeks ago

Here’s a look back at Year 3 2024-25. #TogetherWeGrow #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

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Together we learn

Nursery

Our Nursery

Core Education

Child-initiated

Outdoor Learning

Free Flow

Open-ended Resources

Food

Rooms

Logistics

Drop off

After School

Pre-Prep

Prep School

Admissions

What we’re up to

view all news

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