Feltonfleet has a terrible infants department run by a head who can't keep teachers. The academic standard is very low and it's hard to actually find out how low it is as obviously they say they are excellent. If you are looking for academics the local state school has a higher standard. When I was looking to take my boys out I looked round other schools and was surprised at the overall academic achievements of the other schools. Not a nurturing school eg the nursery children get dropped off at the door in full uniform from 3 years old. Other schools the norm is to walk them in and stay with them until they are settled. Also they expect you to do most of the teaching to keep your child up todate. I was told my 3 year old August child was below average in the class. Oh the list could go on. Only realised when moved my DSs out how awful the school was compared to others in the area. Also it's about £4,000 more (at Prep 3) than other similar schools due to it being a boarding school, it is one of the most expensive prep school in the area and you don't get £4,000 extra worth of teaching, you actually have longer holidays, the head likes to break up early so he can get to his house in France and remember you are paying for this. Swimming pool doesn't work and they probably have the worst swimming team of any prep school due to the lack of facilities and quality swimming coaching. Not very good on warp around care as in the infants they expect you to have the children off the premises ASAP no being allowed to pick them up 10 mins late. Also they only let you drop them off at breakfast club if you work or they have a sibling in prep. Also terrible on SEN. They expect a lot of independence from the children at too early an age. Also they don't have a clear policy on behavior so confusing for some which leads to bullying. The infants is so small it's too small to provide adequate stimulation for the children socially, only three classes in main playground so can be isolating for some children, no member of staff on playground to support children or prevent bullying as is the norm in other infant schools. They find academically bright children difficult to deal with. If you want your child to take 11 plus they don't prep for this so you will need to employ a tutor. Oh my list could go on
Won't say which school I think is the best as all schools are different and where one child thrives another sinks but here is a list of the rest.
My sister and brother went to Danes Hill as did the two children nextdoor. It's a big academic prep with good support for children who are academic and those who struggle. Well established and good at what they do but as others have said it is very big.
Parkside is great if you want boys only, nurturing and caring with good sports.
Millborn Lodge is going through a transition period so not sure how good it is at the moment. But very much the kind of school that sees itself as a feeder to Eaton and Harrow. My nephew went there and went on to Eaton.
Cranmore is very sporty and has a good academic record but I don't know much about it.
St Georges tests at 3 then again at end of year 1 and if you don't meet the grade you are asked to leave. They got rid of all of their SEN facilities.
Claremont is good for those not academically very bright and the fees are cheap compared to some of the other school. Went to visit it and it felt a bit messy.
Ripley Court in Ripley quite a nice school small mixed prep seemed to be nice teachers. Don't know much more than that.
Do find out if they are prepared to support your child through it's time at the school or if they will could be asked to leave if they don't prove to be as academic as you may hope. Most good nurturing preps will keep support children until 11.