Welcome to our Nursery and Pre-Prep at Holmewood House, an independent nursery and prep school in Langton Green, on the edge of Tunbridge Wells in Kent. Our Nursery is where one of lifeās most exciting journeys begins; from the moment your child first walks through the door, ready to start their school days.
The core values of self-belief, aspiration and kindness are rooted in everything we do, and this begins on day one. Children settle quickly within our vibrant, supportive atmosphere, where happiness is the key to our success from this early age. Every child is treated as a valued and unique individual, and our strong partnership with parents ā together with the caring environment we foster in every classroom ā gives children a firm foundation and a secure start to their education. In our small classes, enthusiastic and highly qualified staff help each child develop a positive, confident attitude to learning.
We believe children thrive when they are given abundant opportunities to play and explore their world. That exploration grows as the children do, and it is our job to keep finding new ways to nurture their precious sense of curiosity. Our children are a joy to be around and a privilege to work with.
We look forward to welcoming you and your child to our Nursery.
Mrs Laura Readman,
Head of Nursery & Pre-Prep.
Our Nursery in Tunbridge Wells
A nursery for children from age three
Children can join our Nursery from the beginning of the term in which they turn three. Pre-Nursery children attend a minimum of three sessions a week, and Nursery children attend five, with a āsessionā being a morning or afternoon. From the start, your child becomes part of a close, happy community in a setting designed entirely around the early years.
Settling in
We know that starting nursery is a big step for children and parents alike. Our settling-in approach is gentle and led by your child: we work closely with families before and during those first weeks, share daily updates, and take the time to build the trusted relationships that help little ones feel secure. Happy, settled children are confident learners, and that is always our starting point.
Learning through the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
Our Nursery follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the framework for childrenās development from birth to five. Learning is play-based and led by each childās interests, with skilled practitioners observing, guiding and gently extending what children can do across communication and language, physical development, personal and social development, literacy, mathematics, understanding the world, and expressive arts and design. Because we are part of a school, your childās early learning sits within a clear pathway that continues seamlessly into Reception and beyond.
Specialist lessons from Nursery
One of the advantages of a nursery within a prep school is access to specialist teaching from the very start. From Nursery, children enjoy music, swimming, PE, Forest School and French, all taught by specialist teachers, with Games added in Reception. It is a breadth of experience that is rare in early-years settings.
A typical day in our Nursery
Our Nursery day runs from 8.30am (with drop-off from 8.00am) to 3.15pm. A morning session can finish at 12 midday, or 1.00pm with lunch. Days are a balance of child-led play and exploration, adult-guided activities, specialist lessons, outdoor learning and plenty of time to rest, eat well and simply be little. For families who need more, a breakfast club runs from 7.30am and after-school provision is available until 5.00pm or 6.00pm every day.
Flexible nursery places for working families
We understand that family life rarely fits a standard timetable. Our Nursery is fully flexible ā from three sessions a week through to full-time, all-year-round care ā and is open up to 50 weeks of the year. You can read more on our Flexible Nursery Provision page.
Funded early education
Holmewood House is pleased to offer every family 15 hours of funded early education per week in term time. Your child is eligible from the term after their third birthday until the end of the term following their fifth birthday. Our admissions team is always happy to talk families through how funding works alongside our session options.
