Our teacher led Pre-school, supported by a nursery nurse trained teaching assistant provides an excellent caring setting in which children from the age of 3 years can thrive. They are able to use the best that the school has to offer to give all children wonderful early learning opportunities. Our onsite Forest School facilities help to support and develop confidence through outdoor learning. Close links in the early years classroom means that the children are more than ready to join Reception Class when the time comes!

All 3 to 4-year-olds in England can get 570 free hours per year which is usually taken as 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year. Children aged 3-4 of 'Working Parents' who qualify are eligible for 30 hours a week. If you wish your child to attend more than their funded hours you can top this up at an additional cost per hour during the Pre-school day, or using our wraparound care.

Sessions are available Monday to Friday, between 8.45am and 3.15pm. Wraparound care is available from 7.45am until 5pm. To find out more or arrange a visit.  Please contact the school office:

Email: office@defford-cum-besford.worcs.sch.uk     Tel: 01386 750321

Admissions policy

Applications for preschool are managed by the school. Families are invited to complete our preschool admissions form available from our school office and on our website. We will then add you to our admissions list for the date you wish to start and will contact you further to discuss your needs.

Where the number of applications exceeds the number of places available in our setting, our admission process prioritises applications using the following criteria:

1. Children who are considered to be LAC (Looked After Children) and children who have been in state care and are now adopted and live in catchment area.
2. Children with a Statement of Special Needs/an Educational Health Care Plan.
3. Siblings of pupils attending Defford-cum-Besford CE First school.
4. Children living within the catchment area.
5. Children of staff working at Defford-cum-Besford CE First school.
6. Out of catchment area.

Places on the waiting list will not be prioritised according to how long a child’s name has been on that list or by the age of the child. It is possible that a child’s name could go down on the list as well as up. It should be noted that admission to the school’s preschool does not constitute admission to Defford-cum-Besford First School