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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Book a visit

Pre-Prep

Prep School

Admissions

What we’re up to

15 hours ago

Our music department is still drumming up amazing amounts of support, with more children than ever right across the school learning to play an impressive array of instruments such as piano, violin, saxophone, recorder, cello, guitar and drums. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeExcel #TogetherWePerform #MakingMusic #SchoolsInHampshgire

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15 hours ago

With Sports Day beginning to loom up on the horizon, the Prep school children have been put through their paces with a series of one-kilometre ‘time trials’. After proper warm ups, the children tackled two-and-a-half laps of the running track to give the sports coaches the chance to assess the various levels and abilities of all the boys and girls. While not being official races, the children were encouraged to challenge themselves by running out of their comfort zones, something they did with a great deal of success and satisfaction. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeCompete #TogetherWeSoar #SportsDay #BoardingSchoolsInHampshire

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2 days ago

Our green-fingered Reception children have today been digging deep in Gardening Club. Having learnt that to succeed in tasks you have to do the groundwork first, the focused children embarked on some essential weeding of their vegetable and flower patches ahead of planting pretty sunflowers in the autumn. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeCultivate #TogetherWePrepare #GardeningClub #Teamwork #IndependentSchoolsInHampshire #CountrySchoolsInHampshire

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2 days ago

Are you looking for a unique and nurturing educational environment where your child can truly thrive? The countdown is on to our next Open Morning on Saturday 10th May and we can’t wait to meet all the prospective parents. Why not come along and see for yourself? Simply click the link in our bio to reserve your spot. We look forward to welcoming you. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeEncourage #TogetherWeEmpower #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #OpenMorning

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3 days ago

There is always so much exciting news to share with your friends after the school holidays! #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWePlay #TogetherWeShare #SummerTerm #FriendsReunited #IndependentSchoolsInHampshire

541

3 days ago

It’s great to have the children back in school and we’re delighted that they have seamlessly picked up where they left off before the Easter break. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeThrive #TogetherWeSucceed #IndependentSchoolsInHampshire #CountryBoardingSchoolsInHampshire #SummerTerm

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4 days ago

Our sports coaches have today been put through their paces ahead of the new cricket season. Under the expert eye of Head Coach Mr Dunn, the coaching team worked on fielding, batting and bowling drills, honing techniques which they will pass on to the children before matches get under way next week. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeCompete #TogetherWeInspire #PrepSchoolSport #CricketCoachingTips #HoningSportsSkills

290

4 days ago

We’re really looking forward to welcoming back our boarders this evening and our day children tomorrow ahead of what promises to be an incredibly busy, insightful and rewarding summer term. Common Entrance exams, sports day, Grandparents’ Tea Party, LAMDA showcase, prizegiving, two year-group plays and trips to Marwell Zoo, Flatford Mill and Goodwood Farm are just a few of the exciting things on our packed schedule. We can’t wait! #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeLearn #TogetherWeAchieve #BusySummerTerm #BoardingSchoolsInHampshire #CoedSchoolsInHampshire #CountryPrepSchoolsInHampshire

781

6 days ago

Wishing everyone a very happy Easter. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #Liphook

6 days ago

Wishing everyone a very happy Easter. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #Liphook

170

1 weeks ago

Commemorative plaques in honour of Highfield Centenary Bursaries Fund donors and beautifully hand-crafted by our skilled maintenance team will soon accompany the maple trees which line Chapel Field and Macs Field. Since its inception in 2007, more than 20 children for whom a private education may otherwise have been out of reach have benefited from the fund. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeInspire #TogetherWeOpenDoors #CentenaryBursariesFund #PrivateSchool #IndependentSchoolsInHampshire #CountrySchoolEducation

500

1 weeks ago

Are you looking for a new school? One which offers a progressive, skills-based curriculum and first-class teaching? Where the children’s health and wellbeing are paramount? We are hosting our first open morning of spring on Saturday 10th May, from 10.30am-12.30pm. We’d love for you to meet our Head, Suzannah Cryer, members of our friendly and professional teaching team and take a tour of the school and its exceptional facilities in the company of our engaging Year 8 children. To book a place, simply click here: bit.ly/3G2Hhl1 #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

1 weeks ago

As Highfield and Brookham blooms in the sunshine, we would like to say a huge thank you to our incredible gardeners and grounds team who keep the school looking so beautiful year in, year out. A special place to learn and grow, we’re looking forward to showing prospective parents exactly what we have to offer during our next open morning on Saturday 10th May. To book a place, simply click the link in our bio! #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeLearn #TogetherWePlay #PrivateSchoolEducation #CountryBoardingSchools #OpenMorning

640

1 weeks ago

What a busy day we’ve had in the woods. As part of a hands-on exploration into the brilliant world of bushcraft, the children have been finding and identifying minibeasts, arranging by colour the myriad flora and fauna found on the forest floor, learnt how to build and maintain a fire using a flint and steel tool and, of course, toasted marshmallows and made popcorn over the campfire! #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeExplore #TogetherWeBuild #EssentialSkills #ForestSchool #OutdoorLearning #IndependentSchoolsInHampshire #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

2 weeks ago

Anxious parents will tomorrow discover if their children have secured places at their first-choice primary schools. While most will, some may not. If not, help is at hand, including the possibility of an independent school education. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeLearn #IndependentSchool #ReceptionClass #BoardingSchoolsInHampshire #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #NationalOfferDay

2 weeks ago

One of the things that makes our holiday activities so popular is the amazing range of courses on offer. Whether you’re sporty or artistic, a stage performer or a woodland firelighter, a tech whizz or a touch typist, we really do have something for everyone. At the end of our courses, children leave with a much better understanding of their chosen subject, greater confidence, and armed with invaluable skills and techniques that they can use in and out of the classroom. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeLearn #SchoolHolidayActivities #IndependentSchoolsInHampshire #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

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2 weeks ago

We have an exceptional track record when it comes to the creative arts during term time, so there’s little wonder the children thrive during the holidays too. Today, Mrs Wilson, with her wealth of West End stage experience, put her young charges through their paces on the first of a two-day Easter holiday performing arts course; helping the children learn song lyrics and add accompanying choreography ahead of a special performance to parents tomorrow. And without wishing to give the game away, it really could be the greatest show… #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWePerform #TogetherWeInspire #PerformingArts #CreativeArts #BoardingSchoolsInHampshire #EasterHolidayClubs #IndependentSchoolsInHampshire

161

2 weeks ago

The amount raised for the Highfield Centenary Bursaries Fund by the fab five runners who tackled last week’s London Landmarks Half-Marathon – school owner Bill Mills, Head Suzannah Cryer, Head of Pre-Prep Georgie Hunter and parents Sarah Bagshaw and Claire Kenwright – has now topped the £9,000 mark. Since its inception in 2007, more than 20 children for whom a private education may otherwise have been out of reach have benefited from the fund. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeThrive #TogetherWeLearn #Bursaries #HighfieldCentenaryBursariesFund #PrivateSchoolEducation #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

590

2 weeks ago

Today has been a day full of woodland adventure, thanks to the team from @coryluscollective and our new Nature Days course. Specifically designed for younger explorers, from wild treasure hunts to chilled-out woodland crafts and story-time under the trees, it’s the perfect mix of adventure and calm. With the sun shining and our beautiful grounds bursting with life, the children were swinging on rope swings, hunting for creepy-crawlies on bug safaris, building epic dens and toasting tasty treats over a crackling campfire. #WoodlandWonder #OutdoorAdventures #NaturePlay #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeCreate #TheGreatOutdoors #SchoolHolidayActivities #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool

230

2 weeks ago

We are excited to welcome the Assure Coaching team to lead the way with a jam-packed course full of exciting sports for an energetic and fun-filled holiday club. The team, made up of experienced coaches, have been teaching the children essential skills and techniques across sports, including football, cricket, basketball and hockey to name a few, along with fun games such as bench-ball and dodgeball. A great day has been had by all, building skills, making friends and growing in confidence. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Liphook #OutdoorLearning #SportForAll #TogetherWePlay

2 weeks ago

We had an incredible Senior Cookery course today. The group put their cooking skills to the test and got stuck in making delicious hot cross buns, Mexican molletes and carrot cake cookies. The amazing cookery teacher, Sophie Neish, shared her passion, knowledge and expertise, whilst passing on her tips to these future super cooks. All the children left with plenty of new skills and filled with cooking confidence. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeCook #TogetherWeCreate #Cookery #SchoolHolidayCourses #LifeSkills #Liphook #PrepSchool

390

2 weeks ago

We are so lucky to have our very own golf course right here on our grounds, providing the perfect setting for another amazing holiday golf course with the talented coach, Harry Jafkins, Assistant Professional from Liphook Golf Club. It was such a pleasure to see the children, both beginners and more experienced players, diving into a variety of drills designed to enhance their game, along with one-to-one coaching. Every child left with a better understanding of the sport and improved technique. It’s clear that learning golf can be both enjoyable and rewarding, and we can’t wait to do it all again in the summer holidays! #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWePlay #HolidayActivtyClubs #SchoolHolidayActivities #Liphook #Hampshire #WestSussex #Surrey #IndependentSchool

400

2 weeks ago

Five runners from the Highfield and Brookham community have raised almost £8,000 between them for the school’s Centenary Bursaries Fund, which can pave the way to a private education. The runners raised the cash during Sunday’s London Landmarks Half-Marathon. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeInspire #TogetherWeAchieve #BoardingSchoolsInHampshire #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

405

3 weeks ago

Things were definitely cooking in our kitchen today, with Italian Easter bread, Italian pizza pie and ‘Easter crazy’ chocolate bark all on a tantalisingly tasty menu. Our holiday cookery courses, run by the brilliant Sophie Neish, are always incredibly popular and, today, the children mixed, grated, rolled, sliced and diced to their hearts’ content to produce yet more amazing dishes. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeCook #TogetherWeCreate #Cookery #SchoolHolidayCourses #LifeSkills #Liphook #BoardingSchoolsInHampshire

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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

Places available in Reception and Year 3