The Merlin Pre-School
The Merlin Pre-School
Merlin School, recently rated Outstanding by Ofsted in June 2024, is excited to announce the opening of a new Pre-School in September 2025. Educating children aged 3+, the Pre-School will offer a nurturing environment where children can thrive as part of a school renowned for excellence. With access to Merlin’s established school facilities, the Pre-School provides a play-based, child-led approach that supports social interactions, physical development, and communication and language skills – key foundations underpinning a wider curriculum tailored to each child’s individual needs. Additionally, our Pre-School children will benefit from a sprinkling of specialist taught subjects such as French, Music & Singing and PE to enhance the weekly timetable. The curriculum is created to ensure a smooth transition into the Reception year, setting children up for success in their educational journey.
Pre-School Structure
To ensure a consistent and enriching experience, children are required to attend two morning sessions on Tuesdays (8:30 am – 12:45 pm) and Fridays (8:30 am – 12:30 pm), as well as three full days (Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays) from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. This structure ensures a balance between structured learning and time for exploration, helping every child flourish in their early educational journey.
For families seeking additional flexibility, Tuesday afternoons are optional.
Pre-School Curriculum
With access to Merlin’s established school resources, the Pre-School provides a dynamic and inspiring curriculum that blends a play-based, child-led approach with thoughtfully designed opportunities for academic growth. Both indoor and outdoor learning environments are utilised to support key areas of development, including social interactions, physical development, and communication and language skills – foundational elements that underpin the Early Learning Goals.
Our curriculum is rooted in these Prime Areas of Learning, ensuring every child develops confidence, independence, and resilience while engaging in activities tailored to their individual needs. Outdoor learning plays a pivotal role, offering children space to explore, discover, and develop their motor skills and creativity in a natural setting.
What sets our Pre-School apart is its balanced and enriching approach to early education. Alongside a nurturing and play-led ethos, children benefit from specialist lessons in PE, Music, Singing, and French, adding depth and variety to the weekly timetable. Early phonics instruction is also integrated, introducing children to the building blocks of literacy in an engaging and developmentally appropriate way. This thoughtful combination of child-led exploration and structured learning ensures children are well-prepared for their transition into Reception.
Our curriculum ensures a seamless progression into the next stage of education, equipping children with the confidence, curiosity, and enthusiasm to embrace new challenges. By fostering a love of learning in a supportive and stimulating environment, Merlin’s Pre-School creates the perfect foundation for each child’s educational journey.
Please see the ‘The Pre-School Week’ for a sample timetable.
Pre-School Structure
To ensure a consistent and enriching experience, children are required to attend two morning sessions on Tuesdays (8:30 am – 12:45 pm) and Fridays (8:30 am – 12:30 pm), as well as three full days (Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays) from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. This structure ensures a balance between structured learning and time for exploration, helping every child flourish in their early educational journey.
For families seeking additional flexibility, Tuesday afternoons are optional.