Pre-Preparatory

Our Pre-Prep is a warm and welcoming place where children aged 3-7 thrive and grow. Curiosity is nurtured, enthusiasms encouraged and confidence developed.

Where it all begins

In our Kindergarten, 3-4 year olds begin their journey with a fun, play-based curriculum tailored to their interests. They take their first steps into Berkhampstead’s ‘can-do’ environment, exploring, experimenting, making decisions and learning through hands-on experiences.

Specialist teaching

Child-led learning and play are at the heart of our approach, but even the youngest Kindergarten children benefit from regular activities like phonics, practical maths, and specialist-taught Music, French, and PE.

In Reception, learning becomes more structured through class teaching, and our small class sizes ensure plenty of individual attention. Children eagerly begin bringing reading books home, and stimulating topics—shaped by their interests—help them build skills while fostering a genuine love of learning. Regular trips and visits enhance their experience, making learning both relevant and enjoyable.

We wanted small classes so that our summer born son would get the attention he needed starting school at such a young age. Berkhampstead has exceeded our expectations. He is thriving on its style of creative teaching we are amazed how far he has come.
— Reception parent

Progress

During these formative years, children develop confidence and a solid foundation for learning. By the end of Reception, they are ready for new challenges, and the transition to Year 1 is seamless.

Hands-on activities like cookery, gardening and construction remain a key part of their experience, but learning gradually becomes more structured while still engaging, topic-based, and cross-curricular.

By Year 2, children build strong academic skills in core subjects like literacy and numeracy, as well as in a broad range of other areas. They also develop essential life skills, such as swimming and learning to work and play cooperatively—achieving significant growth along the way.

Opportunities For All

Every child takes part in drama productions and musical performances, building confidence on stage and progressing to more complex roles as they move through the school.

By Year 2, many children are fluent readers, confidently tackling written comprehension, story writing and problem-solving. For those who need extra support, gentle and effective interventions are put in place to help them thrive.

By the end of Year 2, children are well-prepared and eager to embrace the additional challenges of the Prep department.