Denmead

We offer flexible booking options designed to fit around busy family life. 

• Half-day sessions: 8 am–1 pm or 1 pm–6 pm
• Full-day sessions: 8 am–6 pm
• Early drop-off from 7.30 am

We do offer a no-food option and term-time-only place in preschool, but we have very limited availability for these sessions.

• No Food Option (9 am - 12 noon or 1 pm - 4 pm) 
• Term-time in preschool (9 am–3 pm) 

We’re open 51 weeks of the year, closing only for one week at Christmas and New Year, Bank Holidays, and our annual summer staff conference.

To help your child settle in and feel secure, we ask for a minimum of 10 hours per week—this can be two half days or one full day.

Before starting, every child is offered at least three settling-in sessions, starting around a month before their start date, to help them feel comfortable and ready for their new environment.   This is when you’ll meet your child’s key worker—the person who will get to know your child best and support them.

At First Friends Nursery Denmead, food is so much more than what’s on the plate — it’s an opportunity to nurture lifelong healthy habits. 

We involve children in every stage of the food journey — from planting and growing vegetables in our garden, to helping prepare meals in our nursery kitchen.

We provide hot, home-cooked food freshly prepared by our in-house chef. We serve breakfast, snacks, dinner and tea every day.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in England sets the basic statutory framework for early childhood education (from birth to 5 years old). This alone is not enough to fully prepare children for school or life beyond. 

That’s why First Friends goes beyond the basic EYFS requirements. We provide a Premium Package, which is why we are becoming the nursery of choice for many families in the local area. 

We have our own enhanced curriculum, which includes: 

• Earth Explorers
• Thoughtful Food  
• Movement & Mindfulness
• Makaton, and 
• Home-learning programmes