4+ Diagnostic Assessment
Know exactly where
your child stands —
before preparation begins
Our most personalised 1:1 assessment designed to understand your child’s readiness for 4+ entry — with clear, expert guidance on what to do next.
Ideal for parents who want clarity, direction, and a tailored preparation plan.
- One session · £175 · Written report included
- ★★★★★ Google Reviews · London's 4+ specialists · Official BLS preparation partner
- What is the 4+ Diagnostic?
One session.
Complete clarity.
Most parents start 4+ preparation not knowing what their child already does well, where the real gaps are, or which specific schools are actually achievable. This assessment changes that.
In one 45-minute 1:1 session, our specialist observes your child across all the key dimensions that London's most selective independent schools assess — and gives you a clear, written plan for what to do next.
What's Included
Everything in one session
No hidden extras. No follow-up fees.
One comprehensive assessment, one clear plan.
01
45-Minute 1:1 Child Assessment
A dedicated session with an experienced 4+ specialist — observing your child across communication, confidence, early maths and literacy, social readiness, and independent task completion.
02
Observation Across All Key Areas
Communication and expressive language. Confidence and social ease. Early number skills and problem-solving. Pre-literacy and phonics readiness. Listening and instruction-following. Independent work habits.
03
Detailed Written Report
A professional written report delivered within 48 hours. Covers your child’s key strengths, areas for development, readiness level for target schools, and a specific, staged preparation roadmap.
04
15-Minute Parent Debrief Call
A follow-up call with Reena or a senior specialist to walk you through the written report, answer your questions, and give clear guidance on next steps — whether that’s our readiness classes, mock assessments, or home preparation.
Free download · PDF
See exactly what you receive after a 4+ Diagnostic
Get a real sample feedback report sent to your inbox. The same format your child's report will follow, with all names and personal details fictionalised.
- Seven-Domain Specialist Observation
- School-by-School Readiness Rating
- Bespoke four-step preparation pathway
- Real assessor language and reasoning
- What you receive
The Diagnostic report
Within 48 hours of your child's session, you receive a comprehensive written report. Not a tick-box scorecard, a specialist's narrative of how your child performed across seven core domains, scored against your specific target schools, with a bespoke preparation pathway.
Seven-Domain Specialist Observation
Communication, Listening, Early Number, Pre-Reading, Fine Motor, Problem Solving, and Social Confidence. Each domain observed individually in a 1:1 setting, with strengths and development areas explained in plain English. Deeper than a group mock can deliver.
School-by-School Readiness Rating
Your child rated against each of your target schools on a four-point scale, with specific reasoning and a recommended preparation runway. Haberdashers’ Boys’ and NLCS Junior assess different things. Your report tells you exactly where your child sits against each.
Bespoke Preparation Pathway
A four-step plan tailored to your child and your target schools. Readiness Classes, Mock Assessments, and Home Practice Priorities, and the specific timeline that fits your assessment date. Specific week, Specific focus areas. Not a generic next-step list.
The Full Assessment Covers
What we observe and assess
Every dimension that London's most selective 4+ schools look for — assessed with expert eyes.
- 45-minute 1:1 child assessment with experienced 4+ specialist
- Observation across communication, confidence, and early skills
- Detailed written report with strengths, roadmap and next steps
- 15-minute parent debrief call to walk through recommendations
- School-by-school assessment format and what each school looks for
- Home preparation tips from Reena — what to practise, and how
- Readiness rating against target schools with timeline recommendations
- Honest, pressure-free guidance — no sales pitch, just expert advice
Why parents choose the Diagnostic Assessment first
The 4+ assessment is not just an exam — it is a holistic observation of your child's readiness across social, emotional and academic dimensions. Most parents underestimate how different it is from a traditional test, and many start preparation in the wrong areas. Our Diagnostic Assessment gives you the information you need before you invest in preparation courses — so every hour of preparation counts.
Families new to 4+ prep
Unsure which schools are realistic
BLS families
No formal group experience yet
QTS
All teachers qualified
4+ & 11+
Both stages covered
Our expertise
Schools we prepare children for
Our mock assessments replicate the format, pacing and assessed areas of each school's real 4+ process. We know what every school looks for — because we've prepared hundreds of children for them.
Haberdashers' Boys'
Haberdashers' Girls'
NLCS
Highgate School
University College School
Westminster Under
Devonshire House
Merchant Taylors' Prep
St Helen's School
Orley Farm
North Bridge House
Reddiford School
Results
What parents say
"The readiness classes were calm, playful and incredibly well-structured. Our son loved every session — and got his first choice school."
Parent, Kensington · 4+ offer, Wetherby School · Cohort 2025
"The teachers knew exactly how to draw him out through games and structured activities. He received an offer from Haberdashers' Boys' — and we couldn't be happier."
Parent, Elstree · 4+ offer, Haberdashers' Boys' · BLS Stanmore family, 2025
"The gentle, play-based sessions gave our daughter confidence without pressure. Offers from NLCS and South Hampstead — and she actually looked forward to her assessments."
Parent, Hampstead · 4+ offers, NLCS & South Hampstead
Investment
Simple, transparent pricing
4+ Diagnostic Assessment
£175 £200
Full session + written report + parent debrief call. Everything you need to begin preparation with confidence.
What's Included
- 45-minute 1:1 assessment session
- Observation across all key 4+ dimensions
- Detailed written report (delivered within 48hrs)
- Strengths, gaps and staged roadmap
- 15-minute parent debrief call with specialist
- School-specific preparation guidance
- Home preparation tips from Reena
Common Questions
Frequently asked questions
How long is the assessment?
The child assessment session runs for 45 minutes. We ask parents to remain available nearby but not in the room, as independent separation is itself an important part of what we observe. The written report is delivered within 48 hours, followed by a 15-minute parent debrief call at a time that suits you.
What age should my child be?
The Diagnostic Assessment is designed for children aged 3 to 4 who are preparing for Reception entry at an independent school. If your child is younger and you are planning ahead, please contact us and we can advise on the right timing.
Do I need to have a target school in mind?
Not at all — many parents come to us precisely because they are unsure which schools are realistic for their child. Part of what our specialist assesses is the readiness level relative to different schools, so you leave with a clearer picture of which schools are a strong fit.
Is this the same as your group readiness classes?
No. The Diagnostic Assessment is a private 1:1 session — the only time your child works individually with a specialist. It is designed to give you a complete picture of where your child is before you begin group preparation. We recommend it as the starting point for any family beginning their 4+ journey.
We are a BLS family. Do we need this if our child already attends a BLS nursery?
We strongly recommend the Diagnostic Assessment for all BLS families, regardless of how well-prepared your child feels at nursery. The BLS curriculum is exceptional, but the 4+ assessment is a different context — a group of unfamiliar children, unfamiliar adults, and specific activities. Our assessment tells you exactly how your child responds in that context.
What happens after the assessment?
After the debrief call, you will have a clear plan. Most families move into our Saturday Readiness Classes, which run in-person in Barnet. We will recommend the right programme and timeline for your child based on the assessment findings.
What Happens Next
From diagnostic to assessment day —
your clear pathway
Four simple steps from booking to beginning your child's preparation.
1
Book the Diagnostic Assessment
- Choose a date. Your 45-minute 1:1 session is confirmed by email with all joining details.
2
Assessment & Report
- Your child attends the session. Written report delivered within 48 hours.
3
Parent Debrief
- 15-minute call with your specialist to walk through findings and agree next steps.
4
Begin Preparation
- Join our Readiness Classes, book Mock Assessments, or follow our home preparation plan.
R
Reena Damani
Founder & Head Teacher
Meet our founder
Reena Damani
Reena is a mum of two, an alumna of Haberdashers' Girls' School, and an experienced teacher with over 20 years of expertise helping children aged 4–11 build strong academic foundations, confidence, and a love for learning.
She has guided hundreds of children to success in 4+, 7+, and 11+ entrance exams — always with a focus on personalised, engaging lessons that nurture confidence and a growth mindset.
- Haberdashers' Girls' School alumna
- 20+ years' teaching experience
- 4+, 7+ and 11+ specialist
- Official preparation partner, Bright Little Stars nurseries
- Trusted by hundreds of London families