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

2 days ago

Year 2 have been learning to think like scientists as they explored chromatography, carefully using pipettes to place a water droplet on an ink sample and watching the colours separate as the experiment unfolded. Along the way, the children were using their problem-solving skills as they tested and observed what happened and their speaking and listening skills as they discussed their predictions and results. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #BritishScienceWeek

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2 days ago

When our Pre-Prep children arrived this morning, the House Cup had disappeared and a note had been left behind by the thief. At Highfield and Brookham, learning is about curiosity, collaboration and discovering the joy of finding things out, so Year 1 took on the role of forensic scientists, using chromatography to investigate which teacher’s pen had written the message. By separating the inks into their different colours, they were hoping to identify the match and catch the culprit. But were they successful? #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #BritishScienceWeek #science

3 days ago

As our nursery children pulled buckets of balls on a rope or pushed wheelbarrows of bricks, they discovered an important idea: the heavier the load, the harder you have to work. A playful way to explore forces while strengthening balance, coordination and confidence, while also developing key skills such as teamwork, problem solving and staying positive when challenges get harder. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #BritishScienceWeek #PE #GrossMotorSkills

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3 days ago

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4 days ago

Our Year 3s took on the Great Smoothie Challenge with real enthusiasm! Using their teamwork, creativity, speaking and problem-solving skills, they worked in teams to create their smoothies. As they pitched their creations to the judges, the children shared their ideas with confidence and flair. Judged on taste, research, pitch, poster and logo design, teamwork and decoration, the competition was incredibly tight with just one point separating first and second place. Congratulations to our winning team and their delicious “Tropical Fruity Smoothie.” #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #westsussex

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4 days ago

We’re delighted to share that Mrs Mattingly has been selected to represent the South African Masters Hockey team at the World Cup in Belgium this August. This fantastic achievement reflects the dedication, resilience and teamwork that we value so highly across Highfield and Brookham school life. We wish her every success on the international stage. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrepSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex @samastershockey_ @hockey.worldcup

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4 days ago

Our Year 3s were buzzing with energy for the Great Smoothie Challenge! Working in teams, the children designed their own smoothies, giving them a creative name and an eye-catching poster. They researched the health benefits of their recipes, explored where their fruit ingredients came from and carefully prepared their smoothies to be tasted and judged. The teams pitched their creations to the judges, sharing their ideas with confidence and flair. Judged not only on taste, but on research, pitch, poster and logo design, teamwork and decoration, this was an incredibly tough competition! #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #westsussex #britishscienceweek2026

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5 days ago

We’re thrilled to announce that our LAMDA pupils have achieved an outstanding 100% distinction rate in their recent LAMDA (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art) examinations. Preparing for LAMDA encourages pupils to think deeply, perform with confidence and communicate with clarity, skills that support them both on stage and far beyond the classroom. Read the full story here. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #westsussex

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5 days ago

We’re thrilled to announce that our LAMDA pupils have achieved an outstanding 100% distinction rate in their recent @lamdadrama examinations. Preparing for LAMDA encourages pupils to think deeply, perform with confidence and communicate with clarity, skills that support them both on stage and far beyond the classroom. Head to the link in our bio to read the full details of this fantastic achievement. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #westsussex

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6 days ago

Our Year 8 pupils turned detectives today as the Biology Lab transformed into a full-scale crime scene. The victim? Stan the Skeleton. Using their scientific knowledge and investigative skills, pupils worked through a series of experiments to analyse evidence and eliminate suspects. From examining clues to interpreting results, the session challenged them to think critically, collaborate effectively and apply their scientific understanding in a new context. Activities like this bring science to life, and show how the skills developed in the classroom, such as observation, problem-solving, logical reasoning and teamwork, are used in real-world investigations. The big question remains…will they gather enough evidence to identify the culprit and solve the mystery of Stan’s untimely demise? #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #STEM #LearningInAction #ProblemSolving #CriticalThinking #HandsOnLearning

210

6 days ago

There was a mystery to solve today as our Year 8 pupils stepped into the role of detectives when the Biology Lab became a crime scene. The victim? Stan the Skeleton. Through a series of hands-on scientific investigations, pupils analysed evidence, tested ideas and worked methodically to narrow down the list of suspects. The activity encouraged them to apply their biological knowledge while developing key skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, careful observation and logical reasoning. Experiences like this help bring science beyond the textbook, showing pupils how scientific methods are used to investigate real-world problems. Now the challenge is on… will our young investigators uncover the culprit behind Stan’s mysterious demise? #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #STEM #LearningInAction #ProblemSolving #CriticalThinking #HandsOnLearning

1 weeks ago

Reading together is a real highlight of the week at Highfield and Brookham. Our Year 7 pupils regularly share stories with our Year 4s, helping to build confidence, foster empathy and nurture a genuine love of reading. Through shared reading and discussion, pupils develop key speaking and listening skills, learning to explain, question and respond thoughtfully. Older pupils build leadership and responsibility, while everyone learns that reading is something joyful and meant to be shared. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #YearOfReading2026

1 weeks ago

Our Year 7 pupils read regularly with our Year 4s, building confidence, empathy and a love of reading. Along the way, pupils develop key speaking and listening skills and discover that sharing a story is truly joyful. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #YearOfReading2026

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1 weeks ago

Encouraging curiosity and a lifelong love of reading, our Years 1–3 Reading Ambassadors meet to share some of their favourite books, using their listening and speaking skills as they exchange thoughts and reflections on the stories they enjoy. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #WorldBookDay #LoveReading #ReadingForPleasure #BookLovers #worldbookday2026

170

1 weeks ago

While the costumes are always a highlight on #WorldBookDay, children at Highfield and Brookham, from Nursery right up to Year 8, know that the real joy comes from the books themselves. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #WorldBookDay #LoveReading #ReadingForPleasure #BookLovers

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1 weeks ago

#WorldBookDay at Highfield and Brookham School was a joyful celebration of stories, imagination and a shared love of reading. Our pupils brought their favourite characters to life, reminding us that books open the door to curiosity and creativity. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #WorldBookDay #LoveReading

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2 weeks ago

As part of our World Book Day celebrations, we’ve loved welcoming a wonderful book fair run by @haslemerebookshop. From browsing new titles to debating favourites with friends, the children have thoroughly enjoyed choosing their next great read. You can find out more about how we nurture a love of reading by heading to our blog, find the link in our bio. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #WorldBookDay #LoveReading #ReadingForPleasure #BookFairFun #BookLovers

320

2 weeks ago

At Highfield and Brookham, a love of reading is carefully nurtured. Books are part of everyday life and are seen, shared and truly enjoyed. With daily quiet reading time and a warm, inviting library, children are encouraged to curl up on a beanbag and discover the joy of getting lost in a good book. Find out more about in our recent blog. https://highfieldandbrookham.co.uk/blog/reading-for-pleasure-small-habit-big-impact-why-reading-for-pleasure-matters-more-than-ever/ #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #YearOfReading2026

110

2 weeks ago

Our Pre-Prep children enjoyed a storytelling workshop with author and illustrator @sophieambrose_illustration. They listened carefully as Sophie talked about how stories begin and shared their own ideas for some illustrations. Building on their knowledge, the children experimented with their own ideas, working collaboratively and creatively to illustrate their very own books. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #yearofreading2026

280

2 weeks ago

Our Pre-Prep children enjoyed a storytelling workshop with author and illustrator Sophie Ambrose. They listened carefully as Sophie talked about how stories begin and shared their own ideas for some illustrations. Building on their knowledge, the children experimented with their own ideas, working collaboratively and creatively to illustrate their very own books. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #yearofreading2026

100

2 weeks ago

Year 2 enjoyed a fantastic day of learning at @brooklandsmuseum. The children marvelled at full-size jet aeroplanes, buses and cars exploring the exhibits and learning all about their topic Changing Transport. Hands-on activities and real-life examples sparked curiosity, deepened understanding and connected their learning with the wider world. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #year2 #schooltrip

410

2 weeks ago

Our Year 2s enjoyed a brilliant day of discovery at Brooklands Museum. Exploring the science of flight and discovering how an aeroplane stays in the sky, the children built their own paper flying craft, bringing their topic Changing Transport to life. Educational visits like these spark curiosity, deepen understanding and show children how learning connects to the wider world. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #schooltrip

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2 weeks ago

Curious about the benefits of educating outside London? Join us for an informal drinks reception on Wednesday 11th March at @beauforthousechelsea, exploring countryside school options beyond the capital. Our Head, Suzannah Cryer, will be joined by senior representatives from @hanfordprepschool @ludgrove_school @downe_house @marlboroughcollege @tonbridge.school for an open discussion designed to help families make confident, informed choices. Places are limited, so don’t miss this opportunity to ask the experts. 👉 Book via the link in our bio. #EducatingOutsideLondon #CountrySchoolBenefits #ChildrensEducation #LondonKids #LondonMums #LondonDads #LondonFamily #LondonParenting #LondonParents #CountrySchoolEducation #Parenting #EducationalJourney #InformedChoices @talkeducation

2 weeks ago

Yesterday saw the first girls’ football fixtures of the year, with our U10s and U11s taking to our home pitches full of energy, teamwork and determination. It was a pleasure to welcome @twyfordschool and @amesburyschool for a great afternoon of football, sportsmanship and learning. A fantastic start to the season! #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #westsussex #girlsfootball #prepschoolsports

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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

view all news