Welcome to Lingfield Nursery & Reception
At Lingfield Nursery and Reception, we offer our youngest children the opportunity to grow and develop through play and guided activities. You can be confident that your child will take their first steps on their educational journey in an outstanding setting with exceptional support from our expert team. We believe that natural curiosity should be ignited and nurtured to help our children grow up to be happy, confident and engaged with the world around them.
Our modern facilities and countryside location enhance our engaging Early Years curriculum. We offer a range of subjects and activities in bright homely classrooms with a strong emphasis on outdoor learning in our dedicated play spaces, orchards, fields and Forest School.
Our specialist teachers and assistants educate in the most fun and imaginative ways, developing strong relationships with every child, so they can tailor the teaching to support their individual needs and interests. This connection, along with the friendships they develop, gives the children a real sense of belonging within our community, creating a confidence and assurance that carries them through their school years.
Families join us from across the local area and beyond. We are conveniently situated for parents commuting from East Grinstead, Lingfield, Dormansland, Felcourt, Newchapel, Edenbridge, Marsh Green, Crowhurst, Horne, Blindley Heath, Smallfield, Copthorne, South Godstone, and Burstow. We would be delighted to welcome your family into our nurturing community.
Any Queries?
To discuss the application process or schedule an appointment to visit the School, please contact us using the details below or visit our Admissions Process page for more information.
Contact Admissions:
- Tel: 01342 838153
- Email: admissions@lingfieldcollege.co.uk
Nursery & Reception FAQs
What are the staff-to-child ratios in Nursery and Reception?
At Lingfield Nursery and Reception, we maintain low staff-to-child ratios to ensure each child receives personalised attention. In our Baby Room, 'The Cocoon,' we adhere to a 1:3 ratio, while in Nursery and Reception classes, the ratio is typically 1:8. This allows our experienced educators to cater to individual needs effectively and foster a nurturing environment.
What are the school hours for Nursery and Reception, and is wraparound care available?
The core day for Nursery and Reception runs from 8.30am to 3.20pm. To support busy families, we offer flexible wraparound care. Children can be dropped off from 7.45am for our Breakfast Club, and after-school care is available until 6.00pm through a range of clubs and activities. This extended provision is run by familiar staff in a nurturing environment, offering a consistent and reassuring routine for younger children.
How is nap time managed during the day?
We understand the importance of rest in early childhood development. Nap times are scheduled after lunch, providing children with a quiet and comfortable space to relax. Our staff closely monitor each child, ensuring they are settled and rested, tailoring nap durations to individual needs.
How does the school accommodate dietary requirements and allergies?
Lingfield College is committed to providing nutritious meals that cater to various dietary needs. Our catering team works closely with parents to accommodate allergies and specific dietary requirements. Menus are shared in advance, allowing parents to plan evening meals accordingly and ensuring transparency in meal planning.
Will I receive regular feedback on my child's progress?
Yes, we believe in maintaining open communication with parents. Our educators provide daily updates on your child's activities and progress. Additionally, we offer more detailed feedback through regular reports and parent-teacher meetings, ensuring you are well-informed about your child's development.
How flexible are the drop-off and pick-up times?
We offer flexible drop-off and pick-up times to accommodate various family schedules. Our standard hours are from 8:30am to 3:20pm, with options for early drop-off starting at 7:45am through our Breakfast Club, and extended care available until 6:00pm via our After School Clubs. This flexibility supports working parents and provides consistency for the children.
Every morning my daughter is up, excited and ready to go into Nursery School. I am so happy she just settled in so quickly. The staff are all wonderful, and you can see they genuinely care for each and every child. I was amazed at how much she is learning already. I really couldn't be happier.
A day in the life at Lingfield Nursery
- 7:45am
Breakfast Club offers a nutritious breakfast of cereals, fruit and toast or a cooked breakfast with fruit juice.
- 8:30am
Teaching staff welcome the children into the classroom for registration. The children come together for circle time. A chance to say ‘Good morning’ and talk about the day ahead.
- 9:00am
Morning lessons begin with phonics and literacy.
- 10:00am
Great fun to be had in our Foundation playground during outdoor play time alongside our Nursery children, followed by a healthy snack to refuel.
- 10:40am
Learning with their whole class, small groups or 1 to 1. Time is set aside for child-initiated activities, indoors and out and on some days, specialist subjects such as PE, Music, Drama and French.
- 11:45am
Lunchtime. A tasty and nutritious balanced is served in the Prep School Dining Room. Firm favourites ‘Fish and Chip Friday’. Everyone joins together in the Dining Hall to enjoy a hot meal at their tables with their friends. After lunch, children enjoy running off their energy in the playground.
- 1:20pm
Afternoon learning begins. Maths carpet is a daily maths group activity and further learning to include Free-Flow learning, Art and Forest School.
- 3:00pm
Storytime
- 3:20pm
Hometime and handover for children going home. Dino Club and After School Clubs.
Meet the Staff
Our staff are enthusiastic and caring professionals, passionate about their subjects and dedicated to getting the very best out of every pupil. Hear from some of them below.
I take pride in our Nursery setting, making sure our staff are well equipped to nurture your child’s imagination, support their individual needs, and help their unique interests shine.
Emma Philpott - Head of Nursery
Featured Events
- Lingfield Ranked in Top 4% of Schools for Sport
We are delighted to be recognised as one of the Top 200 Sporting Schools in the UK by School Sports Magazine (2025). This places us within the top 4% of schools, both independent and state, nationally for sport and recognises achievement across multiple disciplines and competitions. This nat...
- New for 2026: A Level & GCSE Sociology at Lingfield College
Lingfield College is excited to announce the launch of both A Level and GCSE Sociology, a new subject joining the curriculum from September 2026.
- PEBE Comes to Lingfield College
This week we were delighted to welcome PEBE, a specialist a specialist sports bra company to deliver educational talks as well as a professional fitting session for Lingfield girls and staff. Research shows that wearing a well-fitted, high-quality sports bra can improve athletic performance...