Puddleduck Preschool, Priory Road, Ascot

Wellbeing at Puddleduck is supported through nutritious food, plenty of time outdoors and strong connections with families. Our extensive grounds give children space to move, explore and spend time in nature, while our on-site chef prepares nutritious meals to keep them fuelled throughout the nursery day.

The GrandirUK App keeps families connected with updates about their child’s activities, meals and milestones, alongside photos and notes from the team. Families can also use the app to ask questions and keep up with nursery reminders.

Our lending library and home learning packs give families further ways to continue children’s interests and learning at home. There are thoughtful touches for grown-ups too, with coffee and a snack bowl available in our welcome area for anyone who needs something on the go.

Children at Puddleduck enjoy a varied mix of experiences throughout the week, including Forest School, cooking, sport, music, gardening, yoga and language learning, with plenty of opportunities to get involved and try different things.

The Priory grounds add something particularly special to nursery life. Children can head out for walks through the grounds, visit the horses and collect eggs from the chickens, giving them hands-on opportunities to experience nature and learn more about the animals around them.

We also come together to mark cultural and seasonal events throughout the year, including harvest festival, Halloween and Christmas.

Puddleduck Preschool sits within private grounds at the historic Ascot Priory, surrounded by 40 acres of woodland and gardens. Inside, our large, well-resourced playroom gives children plenty of space to explore different interests and choose how they spend their time.

The playroom includes a large kitchen and role play area, construction area, arts and crafts, sand and water play, and a quiet corner. Alongside it, we have a separate, calmer room with sensory resources, giving children a smaller space when they need a change of pace or want to explore away from the main playroom.

Children have free-flow access to the garden throughout the day, giving them the freedom to move between indoor and outdoor experiences as part of their play.

Outdoor space

Our dedicated preschool garden and Forest School are used extensively every day, making outdoor experiences a significant part of life at Puddleduck. Mud kitchens in both areas give children plenty of opportunities to get hands-on with natural materials, experiment and explore.

Children can also get involved in growing herbs and flowers in our planting area, while a decked play area provides another space to enjoy outdoors. Beyond the preschool garden, walks through the wider Priory grounds give children opportunities to visit the horses and collect eggs from the chickens, making the surrounding woodland and gardens part of their everyday nursery experiences.

Care at Puddleduck is attentive, responsive and shaped around each child. Our team take time to get to know their routines, interests and individual needs, noticing the small changes from one day to the next and adapting their care accordingly.

Families are an important part of nursery life too. We work closely with them, sharing information and building familiar relationships so that each child’s care reflects what they need throughout their time with us.

Play sits at the heart of our curriculum at Puddleduck, with our team supporting children to follow their interests, explore new ideas and discover more about the world around them.

Forest School is an important part of this approach, making the most of our private grounds and natural surroundings. Children have opportunities to investigate, use their imagination, take on new challenges and develop growing confidence and independence through hands-on experiences in nature.

We believe some of the richest learning happens outdoors, with plenty of opportunities to get hands-on with the natural world. Forest School is a big part of life at Puddleduck, led by a qualified practitioner in the woodlands of Ascot Priory.

Children can build dens, hunt for bugs and gather around a campfire, giving them opportunities to explore, take on new challenges and try things for themselves. Surrounded by woodland and nature, they have the space to follow their curiosity and develop growing confidence and independence through their experiences.

For families with more than one child, having siblings at Puddleduck means one drop-off and pick-up, with one familiar team getting to know your family.

Brothers and sisters have opportunities to see each other and share parts of their nursery experience, from time in the preschool garden to walks through the Priory grounds.

Sibling places are subject to availability, but where we have space, we will always do our best to find a place for brothers and sisters together.

Led by Nursery Manager Natalie, our experienced team bring a broad range of Early Years knowledge to Puddleduck Preschool. The team includes two SENCos, who bring additional knowledge and experience to supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Our qualified Forest School practitioner leads outdoor learning in the woodlands of Ascot Priory, while our on-site chef prepares meals for the children each day. Together, the team bring different areas of expertise to support children throughout their nursery experience.