Clifton Hampden Church of England Primary School Nursery Review

Weekly Earth Explorer sessions give Tadpoles Preschool an outdoor thread alongside its place in the combined Tadpoles and Frogs nursery and Reception class. The provision is for rising 3-year-olds at Clifton Hampden Church of England Primary School. That shared class structure puts nursery children within the school's early years provision from the outset.

Ofsted judged early years provision Good at the inspection on 25 and 26 June 2024. This is an early years judgement within the school inspection, rather than a separate nursery rating.

Play has a planned purpose here. In June 2024, early years activities targeted children's developmental milestones, with staff identifying what children should focus on during play. Children also sustained their attention during tasks. For parents, the useful distinction is that play and planned learning work together.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework for this learning. Personal, social and emotional development runs through everyday activities, so learning includes relationships and feelings alongside classroom topics. All About Me, Growing and Under The Sea give the Tadpoles and Frogs class concrete themes to explore. These connect learning with children's own lives and the world around them.

Earth Explorer takes place weekly for EYFS children, combining Forest School principles with science and approaches to learning. The school describes Forest School as led by children, with opportunities to explore nature, cooperate and solve problems. Outdoor learning therefore has a regular place in the week. Mathematics draws on NCETM Mastering Number from Early Years onwards, with objects and pictures preceding written symbols: a practical starting point for understanding number.

For children with SEND entering nursery, the SENDCo and class teacher can join transition meetings, the teacher visits the child's existing setting, and parents are invited to a meeting before admission. This gives families a route to discuss needs before their child starts.

Across the school, teaching is adapted to individual needs, with speech and language therapists and other specialists involved when appropriate. Teaching assistants have training in Early Talk Boost and Lego Therapy. These are school support resources, rather than an automatic programme for every nursery child. Emotional support also has a physical base: the school's dedicated ELSA room accommodates individual and small-group work.

Lunch comes from the John Mason catering team and is prepared away from school before being delivered hot. Preschool orders go through Parentmail PMX, with Thursday the deadline for the following week. A filled jacket potato is a daily alternative. Medical and cultural diets can be accommodated where possible; parents should tell the school about their child's requirements. Packed lunches must exclude nuts and nut-containing products, so food planning needs to account for the school's allergy rules.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the Oxfordshire County Council Admissions Team. Applications can be made online or by post and must meet the relevant deadline, usually mid-January for the September intake. Treat this as a separate decision even while your child attends Tadpoles.

Transition support is a different matter from admission. The school's arrangements for changing classes include visits during the latter half of the summer term, teacher handovers and extra visits for identified children. Social stories or transition books can support children who would benefit, helping make the change more familiar.

Bookings are being taken for September 2027 spaces. Nursery enquiries go through the school office on 01865 407700 or office.3183@clifton-hampden.oxon.sch.uk, and families can arrange a school visit through the office.

Breakfast Club opens daily at 7:45am and accepts preschool children. Breakfast is followed by activities and outdoor play; allergen arrangements require advance notice. Afternoon childcare. Preschool children cannot attend either the recreation clubs after school or CHAS-Kids. Families needing care beyond the nursery day must account for that restriction.

Uniform is optional for Tadpoles. Children need suitable outdoor clothing, including a coat and footwear, with wellington boots kept at school for outdoor activities. Contact the school for current charges.