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Pre-School Nursery
The Early Years Matter.
At Lady Barn, our Pre-School is a warm, joyful environment where children feel safe and encouraged to grow.
Learning through play is at the heart of Pre-School life. As children explore and imagine, they build friendships, grow in confidence and begin to develop the foundations for Reception and beyond.
Small enough for every child to be truly known. Big enough to offer rich opportunities from the very start.
A Warm and Purposeful Start
Pre-School at Lady Barn feels exactly as early childhood should: laughter, storytelling, role-play and outdoor adventure, alongside calm routines, gentle encouragement and plenty of time to explore.
Children are supported to grow at their own pace within an environment that feels nurturing yet purposeful. Every day blends curiosity with structure in a way that feels natural and reassuring.
A Team That Truly Knows Your Child
Every child in Pre-School has a designated Key Person — a fully qualified Form Teacher — who holds the main responsibility for children in their class and builds a close, consistent relationship with each family.
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Our Early Years staffing:
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Strong Foundations, Gently Built
While play remains central, our teaching is thoughtful and intentional.
Through stories, conversation, practical activities and guided exploration, children begin to:
- Develop confident communication and language skills
- Build early phonics awareness — the foundations of reading
- Explore numbers, pattern and problem-solving
- Grow in independence, focus and resilience
Nothing is rushed. Everything is age appropriate. We believe preparation for their next steps should feel positive, not pressured.
Confidence Comes First
Before children are ready to learn, they need to feel secure. Secure enough to speak up, try something new, make friends and persevere when something feels tricky.
Emotional well-being sits at the heart of Pre-School life. When children feel safe, valued and understood, learning follows naturally.
Part of the Wider School Community
Joining Lady Barn at age three means belonging from the very beginning - with access to specialist teaching, shared school experiences and a smooth, confident transition into Reception.
Each Nursery child is also reserved a place for Reception. There is no need to reapply.
Award-Winning Woodland SchoolAll Early Years children have access to our award-winning Woodland School, a place where outdoor learning, adventure and nature combine to bring the curriculum to life in a uniquely memorable way. Find out more about Woodland School... https://www.ladybarnhouse.org/1306/woodland-school-at-lady-barn |
Early Years Funding at Lady Barn
Many families are pleasantly surprised to find that, once funding and Tax-Free Childcare are considered, Lady Barn may be more accessible than they first expected - with the added benefit of a school-led environment and a seamless pathway into Reception.
We’re pleased to accept government-funded hours within our Pre-School, available from the term after your child turns 3 until the end of the term in which they turn 5.
Eligible families may access:
Funding applies for up to 38 weeks per year (term time). |
We also accept Tax-Free Childcare payments. Full details of eligibility can be found on the Government’s website: www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare
Our team will be happy to talk through your circumstances and explain how funding and Tax-Free Childcare can be used at Lady Barn.
Early Years Funding — Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding funding can feel complex at first. Below are answers to the questions families most often ask.
What funded hours are available?
Funding is available from the term after a child turns 3 until the end of the term in which they turn 5. All eligible children can access 15 funded hours per week (for 38 weeks of the year). Eligible working parents may be able to access 30 funded hours per week, where a full-time place is taken. More info about funded hours is available via Stockport Council: https://www.stockport.gov.uk/funded-childcare-for-children-aged-9-months-to-4-years.
Do all schools offer funded hours?
No. Not all independent schools participate in the Government funding scheme. Lady Barn does accept funded hours within our Pre-School provision.
Do you accept Tax-Free Childcare?
Yes. Lady Barn accepts payments through the Government’s Tax-Free Childcare scheme. Tax-Free Childcare is available to eligible working families and can be used towards approved childcare costs, including Pre-School provision.
Full details of eligibility and how the scheme works can be found at www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare.
If you are unsure whether you qualify, our team will be happy to guide you in the right direction.
Will funding cover the full nursery fee?
Government funding contributes towards the cost of provision but does not usually cover the full cost of an independent school’s Pre-School place. Our team will be happy to discuss how funding can be used within our full-time Pre-School model.
How do I know what my family will pay?
As each family’s circumstances differ, we recommend speaking directly with our team. We will be pleased to outline the options available to you.
