Grimsdell is a co-educational pre-prep school for children aged 3-7. Entry is available at 3+ (Nursery) and 4+ (Reception).
Registrations for our 3+ Nursery September 2024 assessments have now closed.
Our assessments for this in-take will take place from the 2nd of November and invitations to our applicant families have been sent out.
If you would like to discuss this entry point with the Admissions Team, please email the Head of Admissions, Mrs Davies-Jones (sdavies-jones@grimsdell.org.uk) or phone 020 8906 7958
3+ Nursery 2025 and beyond
We are still accepting registrations for September 2025 and beyond – please visit the ‘Register your Child’ page to place a registration.
We are delighted to be offering a Full Day Nursery provision from September 2023, with the children spending half the day in our Nursery setting and half the day in our Nursery Forest School, including our newly built Nursery Cabin in the Woods.
At Grimsdell we pride ourselves on our connection with the outdoors, we are firm believers that not all classrooms have four walls, and that outdoor education is vital for children’s development and learning.
The children will have the opportunity to complement their learning from the Nursery session by spending an extended session in the forest, there will be opportunities for children to experience the ‘classroom’ of the outdoors engaging in activities such as tree climbing, making dens and reading in the fresh air.
Forest School offers an excellent opportunity for play and exploration, however, it is the practical tasks linked to the EYFS Foundation Stage which enhance children’s development and drives the Forest School initiative.
Interviews and Assessments
Our Nursery assessments take place in the November prior to the year of entry. Each applicant Registered on to our Initial Registration List will be invited to take part in our Interview and Assessment Process.
Our interview and assessment process consists of an informal parent interview with the Head and a child-led, play-based assessment for the child. The process takes place in our outdoor Cabin, our ‘Cabin in the Woods’ and the family group will remain together for the duration of the assessment.
Please note that it is not possible to defer offers for our Nursery to our Reception Year Group. If you are offered a place in the Nursery and you are unable to accept for any reason, you would be invited to join us for a further assessment the following year for a possible place in our Reception Year Group.
Registrations for our 4+ Reception September 2024 assessments have now closed.
Our assessments for this in-take will take place from the 4th of January and invitations to our applicant families will be sent out shortly.
If you would like to discuss this entry point with the Admissions Team, please email the Head of Admissions, Mrs Davies-Jones (sdavies-jones@grimsdell.org.uk) or phone 020 8959 6884
4+ Reception 2025 and beyond
We are still accepting registrations for September 2025 and beyond – please visit the ‘Register your Child’ page to place a registration.
Our Reception Year Group
There are three classes that make up our Reception Year Group. Two classes are largely filled by our Nursery children moving up to Reception, we therefore have one class, approximately twenty places, to offer to our external applicants.
Interviews and Assessments
Our Reception assessments take place in the January of the year of entry.
We conduct a two-phase assessment process for entry into our 4+ Reception Year Group. The first-round assessment consists of a ‘play-date’ group assessment for children. Assessments take place in our Outdoor Learning Area and are overseen by our Early Years Team. Applicants joining us the second round of assessments will take part in a family assessment, consisting of an individual pupil assessment with our Early Years Team and an informal interview for the parents, conducted by our Head, Mrs Simon.
Registering Your Child
If you are ready to Register your child with us, please complete our on-line Registration Form here, making payment of the non-refundable Registration Deposit of £150.00.
Sibling Policy
We do operate a Sibling Policy and priority is given to applicants who already have a sibling in the Foundation, subject to our assessment programme.
Chance Vacancies
Occasionally there are places available in other years, known as ‘Chance Vacancies’. Please contact us to find out about possible places.
The Best Way to Visit Us
We love nothing more than welcoming new families to our School and sharing with them all that we have to offer at Grimsdell Pre-Prep. Our School is surrounded by nature and we take full advantage of this, the children are fully immersed in their outdoor learning and our outside facilities are a real highlight of a visit to Grimsdell.
