Little Oaks Pre-School welcomes children into the Nursery from around two years old.  In the September before a child’s fourth birthday, he or she moves to our Kindergarten where we can further engage, challenge and enthuse our pupils as they grow. The Nursery is accommodated in its own cosy building, close to the Pre-Prep part of the school and the Kindergarten classrooms are situated in a converted stables block around a busy and vibrant courtyard. 

Little Oaks staff are all Early Years qualified and experienced. We maintain a ratio of 1:5 enabling us to really know our children and their individual needs and interests as well as allowing us to devote significant amounts of time to each child at this important first chapter of their life at Oakwood.  Our Kindergarten team have outstanding pastoral skills, creativity, patience and a sense of fun!  Little Oaks operates a 'Key Person' system providing one particular member of staff who takes responsibility for your child.  This helps both the child and the parent with continuity and a sense of belonging. It also helps both staff members and parents to build good rapport with each other.

Our children in Early Years are provided with milk and healthy, home-baked snack, as well as a selection of fresh fruit.  This is given during the morning, either all-together or as a “rolling snack”, under the supervision of an adult. A two course school lunch is provided for all children. Children are served by the staff who teach them who also sit and eat with the children.  Nursery, Kindergarten and Kindergarten staff encourage children to use a knife and fork correctly, when able to do so, and promote good table manners.  Staff will also support children with cutting up their food as well as encouraging them to try new foods.

Children are served a lunch consisting of a meat or protein, vegetables or salad and a carbohydrate.   Puddings are varied ranging from yoghurt and fresh fruit to a more traditional cooked pudding.  All food is cooked and prepared on site in our own kitchens with vegetarian/vegan alternatives or dietary/allergy requirements being accommodated. Oakwood is a no nut school. 

There is a secure garden with outdoor play facilities, as well as a covered play area ensuring that children can venture outside in most weathers. Little Oaks children make full use of the school facilities such as the gymnasium, theatre and wonderful playing fields. 

Children in Little Oaks use the fabulous Woodland Walk on a regular basis enjoying our outdoor classroom, storytelling circle and magical woodland treehouse. We love putting on our coats and hats to get some fresh air, whatever the weather!

We recognise that working parents rely on our wrap around care provision within the academic year and in school holidays. During term time, children from Nursery upwards are welcome to join Breakfast Club from 7.45am where they enjoy a varied breakfast (toast, cereal, juice and a special treat such as pancakes on a Friday). After School care, including a light tea (sandwiches and fruit), is available daily until 6pm. We offer provision for pre-school children for 50 weeks of the year (excluding the last week of August and the week between Christmas and New Year). This is through our in-house holiday camp, Camp Little Oaks which is for children in Nursery, Kindergarten and in Reception up to the age of five years old. Oakwood staff run Camp Little Oaks so the children are familiar with the team and enjoy similar activities to term time. Our flexible booking system is appreciated by our parents who may wish to vary arrangements week by week during the holidays.