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Preschool

Preschool at Rowan

Our Preschool is the perfect starting point for girls aged two to four as they take their first steps away from home.

Learning in Preschool is creative, exciting, and hands-on. Our girls are encouraged to discover, question, and enjoy their learning, building a strong foundation across every area of development and growing into happy, independent learners.

Our dedicated Preschool teachers nurture, guide, and extend each child’s learning within a caring and imaginative environment. By carefully observing the girls, teachers create a detailed learning profile for every child, ensuring that their individual strengths and needs are supported. Alongside the Preschool team, specialist teachers introduce music, dance, drama, French, gym, and games - broadening the girls’ experiences and sparking new interests.

Learning extends far beyond the classroom. In our outdoor space, the girls delight in the sandpit, grassy garden, climbing equipment, water play, and role-play areas. There is also room for bikes, a playhouse, and a sheltered area for painting and messy play.

We are also fortunate to have access to our Forest School site at Telegraph Hill. Here, the girls embrace the natural world, learning through exploration and adventure in a truly magical woodland setting.

At Rowan, Preschool is where the journey begins. We provide a nurturing environment with all the benefits of our outstanding Pre-Prep, and we hope that your daughter will continue on to Reception and beyond - growing in confidence, curiosity, and joy as part of the Rowan community.

Our Squirrels class is for our youngest girls, aged 2 – 3 years.

In Squirrels, our focus is on the Prime Areas of Learning – Communication and Language, Physical Development and Personal, Social & Emotional Development. Each day we ensure that our classroom is an exciting learning landscape for the girls to dive into when they arrive. All the opportunities we provide have a purpose and objective behind them, even if they look like ‘just play’ to adults!

We work together to prepare your daughter for what she needs now, and in the future.

SQUIRRELS

As the girls join Hedgehogs, their learning journey becomes more structured while still nurturing curiosity and creativity. Building on the foundations of the Early Years Curriculum, we focus on developing the whole child - academically, socially, and emotionally.

Phonics and Literacy: They begin the engaging Song of Sounds phonics programme, and by the end of the year, they will have explored all single-letter sounds, laying the groundwork for confident reading and writing.

Mathematics: Daily maths lessons combine clear teacher-led input with hands-on opportunities to apply new skills through thoughtfully planned activities, ensuring understanding and enjoyment go hand in hand.

Emotional Wellbeing: We continue to prioritise emotional literacy, helping each girl recognise, understand, and express her feelings. This strong foundation supports resilience, empathy, and a lifelong love of learning.

HEDGEHOGS

At Rowan Prep we make the move from Preschool to Reception calm, familiar and exciting. Our Preschool and Reception teams work closely together, sharing insight and planning regular classroom visits tso that every child feels at home before September arrives.

Families are supported through welcome events and settling-in sessions, ensuring everyone knows what to expect. Thanks to our excellent Early Years provision, which was praised by the ISI as a ‘significant strength’ for being relevant, engaging and developmentally appropriate, our youngest pupils are exceptionally well prepared.

By the time they start Reception, Rowan girls step in with confidence, ready for new routines, new learning and a wonderful year ahead.

A SMOOTH TRANSITION TO RECEPTION