Private Nursery in Newbury for Early Years Learning Through Play

Welcome to Brockhurst & Marlston House Nursery - an independent private nursery in Newbury offering a warm, nurturing environment where children can learn, play, and grow with confidence. Open 51 weeks a year, our day nursery combines exceptional outdoor learning opportunities with outstanding pastoral care, specialist teaching, and flexible childcare options for local families across Berkshire, Hermitage, Cold Ash, Bucklebury, and Chieveley.

Whether you are looking for a full time nursery, an all year-round nursery, or flexible early years childcare alongside term-time education, our experienced team supports every child through a happy and engaging start to school life.

Book a Nursery Visit: Discover our nursery in Newbury and explore our outdoor learning environment.
Enquire About Nursery Places: Speak to our early years team about availability for 2 and 3 year olds.

About Us

Our private daycare nursery is a unique addition to the Brockhurst & Marlston House Pre-Prep, which first opened in 1929. Set within beautiful woodland and open space in Berkshire, our independent nursery encourages children to learn through play while building confidence, curiosity, and independence from an early age.

Children benefit from excellent pastoral care alongside access to specialist staff and facilities within Brockhurst & Marlston House Schools. From outdoor adventures and creative play to structured early years learning, every day is designed to support children socially, emotionally, and academically.

Families across Newbury, Hermitage, Cold Ash, Bucklebury, and Chieveley choose our private nursery because of our balanced approach to education, childcare, and school readiness.

Our Aim

The aim of Nursery is to give children a happy start to school life, to provide opportunity to work and play together in an ordered and happy atmosphere and to foster kindness, good manners and consideration for others. We believe that a thorough grounding in Literacy and Numeracy lays the foundation for a confident and successful school career and unlike other care settings we start this exciting journey in our nursery.

51 Weeks or Term Time Only

Our 51 week nursery give you the option of enrolling for school term time and then dropping your child in during school holidays to suit you

Curriculum

Our focus is on developing independence, self-confidence and enquiring minds with an emphasis on learning through play. With the right clothing, we can be outside whatever the weather and indeed love splashing about in puddles and mud and exploring our lovely grounds and woods! Lessons are taught outside whenever possible showing that learning isn’t just about being in a classroom.

Our Aim

We want every child to enjoy a happy start to school life within a caring and encouraging environment. Through shared play, positive relationships, and structured early years experiences, children develop kindness, confidence, communication skills, and consideration for others.

Unlike many childcare settings, our independent nursery introduces early literacy and numeracy naturally through engaging activities, outdoor learning, and play-based experiences. This helps children build strong foundations for a successful transition into Reception and beyond.

51 Weeks or Term Time Only

As an all year-round nursery in Newbury, we are open 51 weeks a year to support busy family life with flexible childcare options.

Parents can choose term-time attendance or benefit from additional holiday sessions throughout the year. Our full time nursery provision offers flexibility while maintaining consistency and familiarity for your child.

For families looking for a private nursery with reliable childcare in Berkshire, our flexible attendance options help make daily routines easier to manage.

Curriculum & Outdoor Learning

Outdoor learning is central to daily life at Brockhurst & Marlston House Nursery. Our woodland setting, gardens, and open spaces provide endless opportunities for exploration, discovery, and learning through play in the early years.

Children enjoy muddy puddles, welly walks, nature activities, and outdoor nursery activities in all seasons. Lessons are regularly taught outside to encourage resilience, creativity, communication, and problem-solving skills.

As an outdoor learning nursery and forest school nursery environment, we believe children thrive when they can explore the world around them with confidence and curiosity.

Activities for 2-3 year olds in childcare are carefully planned to support every stage of development while making learning engaging, practical, and enjoyable.

Outstanding Learning Opportunities

Caroline Simm

Head of Pre-Prep

Our qualified early years team introduces phonics, numeracy, communication, and creative development through meaningful activities and experiences tailored to each child’s understanding.

Following the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, children are encouraged to develop independence, imagination, and self-confidence through play based learning in the early years. From sensory exploration and storytelling to outdoor adventures and specialist sessions, every activity supports holistic development.

Children also benefit from access to exceptional facilities including:

Swimming Lessons: Weekly sessions in the 25m indoor swimming pool with specialist support staff.
PE & Sports: Activities within the sports hall and astro pitch led by qualified teachers.
Music & Performing Arts: Rhythm, movement, singing, and creative exploration in the Performing Arts Centre.
Forest School Experiences: Outdoor learning activities that encourage resilience, curiosity, and independence.
Specialist Activities: Optional ballet, yoga, judo, and movement sessions.

Our nursery welcomes families looking for both pre-prep and non pre-prep pathways, providing flexibility for parents while still delivering a high-quality early years education.

Parent Partnership & Tapestry

Strong relationships with parents and carers are an important part of nursery life. Every child has a dedicated key person who works closely with families to support learning, development, and wellbeing.

Through regular communication, parent meetings, and our online learning diary via the Tapestry platform, you can stay connected with your child’s progress and daily experiences.

This partnership between home and nursery helps children feel secure, supported, and ready for the transition from nursery into Reception.

Early Years Events & Community

We regularly host early years events and open mornings for families considering our independent nursery in Newbury.

Children enjoy a wide range of enriching experiences throughout the year including messy play, Baby Yoga, seasonal celebrations, outdoor exploration, and community visits.

Our nursery community is welcoming, warm, and family-focused, helping children build confidence and friendships from the very beginning.