Nursery (2-4 years) - Chandlings Independent Prep School - Oxford

A Joyful First Step

Our Nursery is a magical place, offering warmth, wonder and space to grow, nestled within 60 acres of beautiful Oxfordshire countryside.

At Chandlings, Nursery is where confident beginnings are made. Children aged 2 to 4 are welcomed into a calm, caring and stimulating environment, with dedicated staff who understand how little ones thrive through play, discovery and gentle encouragement.

We appreciate that feeling a sense of belonging is crucial for young learners to explore, take risks, and grow. In our nurturing, child-led atmosphere, curiosity takes root, setting the stage for a lifelong love of learning. 

 

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Embedded Enrichment for Little Ones

Swimming Lessons

Children build water confidence through fun, supportive lessons each week, which are included as a part of our Nursery provision. Sessions begin at 3 and 4 years of age.

PE and Games

Little ones take PE and Games lessons each week with specialist teachers on our Astro, playing fields or in our Main Hall. Coordination and body awareness are fostered through playful activities.

Library Visits

Our cosy and whimsical library is a favourite haven amongst our children. Storytelling and book selection helps them foster a love of reading, builds imagination and contributes to language development.

Outdoor Learning

With extensive grounds and woodlands, even our Nursery children benefit from weekly Outdoor Learning lessons. Come rain or shine our little explorers can be found examining flora, spotting wildlife and deepening their appreciation for the environment.

Languages

We are fortunate to have our Prep School teachers visit the Nursery several times a month to encourage children to explore additional languages, such as French. It’s a valuable and rare opportunity for many.

Drama & Music

When they head up our Entrance staircase to the Auditorium for lessons with our Head of Drama, little ones are encouraged to express themselves freely and build confidence. They also have an opportunity to explore instruments and their musicality.

What Makes Our Nursery Special?

  • A secure and happy start to school life
  • Established nursery 20+ year track record
  • Beautiful grounds and school facilities
  • Warm, experienced staff in every room
  • Specialist lessons; Outdoor Learning, Drama, PE, Swimming, French.
  • Nutritious, allergy-aware meals and snacks 
  • Early phonics and numeracy preparation
  • A smooth progression into Reception  

One Nursery, Two Streams

 

Term-time Nursery Option

Our established Term-Time Nursery offers a trusted and highly-regarded Early Years foundation that sits beautifully within the rhythm of the school year at Chandlings. It is an ideal option for families seeking a school-led nursery journey during term-time and is often the choice for little ones with siblings in our Prep School. 

 

All-Year-Round Option

Our All-Year-Round Nursery offers families a flexible extension of the Chandlings Early Years experience across 50 weeks of the year. Children continue to benefit from our warm staff, beautiful grounds and facilities, and catering, all within a nurturing and engaging environment designed to support their development throughout the year. 

 

Nursery Fees 2026-27

“We have been truly blown away by the care and foundation Chandlings Nursery has provided [our daughter]. She has such happy busy days that include Outdoor Learning, Swimming, Drama, PE, and French. By having access to the grounds and school facilities she is gaining independence and is excited to arrive each day knowing there is so much fun and learning in store.”

                                                                                                                                                        –  Nursery Parent

Frequently Asked Questions To help guide families through the decision making process, we have responded to some of the outstanding questions you may have. If you cannot find the answers to your queries, please contact us.