General Information
Admission to the Kindergarten is usually between three and four and a half years of age. Our over-riding concern at this stage is to provide as full and happy an introduction to school life as possible. Small children develop at very different rates. Individuals within this environment can move at their own pace and gain basic skills of reading, writing and number work. Children work in small groups with qualified teachers who are specially trained for this age group.

At Bramdean Kindergarten children are fortunate to have large play areas at their disposal. These, we believe, are essential in helping to build a child’s self confidence and physical well-being. Children also benefit from many of the facilities of the Preparatory School, such as the use of the school playing field for games, under the instruction of qualified games teachers. Music, art, craft, drama and swimming are just some of the activities children start in this department.

Children between the ages of 3-5 years benefit from the Early Years Grant.

Curriculum
Children are given a sound grounding in the usual subjects.

English
We use several reading schemes integrated with workbooks, flashcards and other resource materials. Experience shows that different children respond to different schemes and we strive to find the ones that will be most stimulating and interesting to the child. Spelling, comprehension and composition are introduced as their reading ability improves.

Arithmetic
Both traditional and modern approaches are applied in order to create a stimulating mathematics curriculum.

The more general subjects of Nature, Religious Knowledge, ICT, History and Geography are explored in class. Science and Languages are also introduced.

General Information
The hours of attendance are 8.45am - 12.15pm and 1.00pm - 3.15pm. All children attend morning assembly in the School Chapel. School lunches are available. All meals are prepared in the school kitchens under the supervision of qualified catering staff. Fresh, local products are used when available. The Kindergarten children have their lunches in the school dining room. There are extended day facilities and an early morning breakfast club. Children can remain after school and take tea, if required. Breakfast is also available.

No charge is made for Early Morning and After School activities from 8.00am to 6.00pm.

Early Years Education Funding is available for all three and four year olds (currently £552.20 full grant per term) to be deducted from the above quotes.