Uplands Pre-Preparatory

Our Early Years at Uplands

A nurturing journey from little beginnings to confident pupils

At Uplands Pre-Preparatory, we offer a carefully designed early years journey for children from 18 months to Grade 0. Each phase builds intentionally on the one before, supporting children’s development step by step – emotionally, physically, socially, and cognitively.

While each age group has its own focus and rhythm, our approach remains consistent: learning starts with the child, grows through play, and is nurtured through strong relationships.

Our Philosophy & Approach

We believe children learn best when they feel safe, valued, and deeply connected. When children feel secure and happy, they develop strong self-esteem – the most important foundation for all future learning.

Our approach blends Reggio-inspired, play-based learning with developmental milestones, neuroscience-informed practice, and intentional relationship-building. We nurture the whole child – cognitive, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual – honouring each stage of childhood while laying strong foundations for the years ahead.

Learning in Action

Play and discovery are at the heart of every day. Across all age groups, children learn through play, movement, exploration, conversation, and meaningful experiences. Teachers carefully observe, listen, and guide learning, ensuring each child is supported at their own pace.

The Outdoor Classroom & Nature

Our nature-rich campus allows learning to flow seamlessly between indoor and outdoor spaces. Fresh air, green spaces, and natural materials calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and spark curiosity, supporting healthy development and deep learning.

Nourishing Bodies and Minds

Healthy, nutritious meals are provided daily, including snacks and lunch, supporting children’s energy, focus, and well-being throughout the day.

A Journey That Grows With Your Child

Our early years programme unfolds through four carefully designed phases, each building on the one before.

Click on each class below to learn more about its unique focus and environment:

Cuddly Cubs

Ages: 2 – 3 years

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Zippy Zebras

Age: 3-4 years

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Happy Hippos

Age: 4-5 years | Grade 00

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Leaping Leopards

Ages: 5-6 | Grade 0

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Co-Curricular

AFTERCARE

An Aftercare facility is available every weekday from 13:15 – 17:00

Uplands Pre-Preparatory School offers a well-structured and well-supervised aftercare facility. Working parents can have the peace of mind that their children are being nurtured, stimulated and well looked after in the afternoons. All the staff that supervise the children in the afternoons are qualified and ensure the children are involved in indoor and outdoor games, arts and crafts, and constructive play.

CULTURE
Throughout the Pre-Preparatory School, art activities encourage our children to develop sensory perception, eye-hand coordination, fine-motor control, and self-expression in their own work and the work of their friends. The visual art activities include two- and three-dimensional work where the art materials allow children to experiment with colour, shape, design and texture.

We aim to develop and nurture a love of music through singing, movement and playing various percussion instruments. Our Pre-Preparatory children have the opportunity to visit our Music Centre once a week and experience these activities with a qualified music teacher.

Theme days take place during the year.  Some of these include World Book Day, Cultural Day and Pirate Day. Each class visits our school library weekly.  The children are also given the opportunity to grow in confidence through their performances at the Annual Grandparents’ Day and their Annual Nativity Concert.

OUTDOOR LEARNING
The natural beauty of our campus offers an ideal setting for children to enjoy and explore the environment, which instills an appreciation for the Earth and its resources. Many of our lessons and activities take place outdoors and are learner-centric and play-based. During these activities, children are encouraged to discover their own personal curiosities, develop confidence and independence, and foster an internal motivation to learn.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR

Extra-curricular activities are paid extras that take place before or after the school day.

Some of the extra-curricular activities offered:

Ballet Little Lab Coats Music – piano, etc.
BotKIDS (Robotics) Monkeynastix Playball
Horse Riding Moose Cricket Academy Pottery
Puma Kids Soccer Stars Swimming
Rhythm and Dance BuildEm Blocks Tennis

SPORT

Our beautiful grounds invite children to extend their physical ability and develop ‘body confidence’. We believe that sport and physical activities contribute to the holistic development of a child. All our pupils attend Physical Education lessons twice a week with a qualified sports teacher. A water safety programme takes place once a week during the morning in the first and fourth terms. A qualified swimming teacher takes the children in small groups to our junior ‘Button’ swimming pool, where they learn to be water-safe.

A variety of events, including our Sports Day, provide our children with the opportunity to participate in several activities and events that are relaxed and fun-filled.