Thameside Primary School Nursery

Tea pots, tyres and a garden open for play give Thameside’s nursery a practical, hands-on character. Children can choose between indoor activities and the purpose-built outdoor area, with real objects being introduced to support movement, imagination and care for their surroundings.

This is the nursery within Thameside Primary School in Abingdon, for three- and four-year-olds. Its admission number is 26 full-time-equivalent places, shared between part-time and full-time provision. Children join from the term after turning three, with entry points in September, January and April. The nursery belongs to the school’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Ofsted judged early years provision Good at the inspection on 6 and 7 June 2023. That is an early-years judgement within the school inspection, rather than a separate nursery rating.

The morning has a clear rhythm. After an 8.45am start, group time at 9am leads into small-group activities and free-flow play from 9.15am to 11am. Snack follows, then another group session before tidying and washing hands. Afternoon children begin with lunch at 11.45am; small-group activities and free-flow play resume at 1pm. There is room for both shared learning and children’s own choices.

The EYFS guides children’s early development and learning. Here, short adult-led introductions sit alongside play, with the nursery drawing on several approaches according to children’s interests and needs rather than adopting a single method. Tea sets, boxes, wheels and tyres are among the real resources being introduced. The nursery aims to use these to develop hand control and larger movements, alongside respect for objects. A Chinese New Year theme has also shaped the role-play area, linking imaginative play with cultural learning.

Outdoor play continues in different weather, and children practise choosing appropriate clothing. Doors to the garden allow them to decide whether to play inside or outside. In June 2023, early-years number activities helped children understand counting and changes of one more or one less through equipment. Phonics began in Nursery, while shared books introduced the pleasure of reading. These are concrete foundations for later learning.

Settling starts before regular attendance. New families receive a welcome pack, with home visits and stay-and-play visits included in the transition arrangements. These give children and parents opportunities to become familiar with the nursery before the routine begins. The team includes a nursery manager and Early Years teaching assistants.

Food has a place in the timetable: morning snack is at 11am, and the afternoon session starts with lunch. Caterlink supplies the school’s meals. Nursery children also have their own version of myHappymind, including songs and activities around feelings, friendships and relaxation. Happy Breathing is one named technique; a parent app lets families continue related activities at home.

For children whose needs are identified before starting, professionals can work with the family and school to support entry into Nursery. The SENCO coordinates support with staff, parents and outside agencies. This provides a route for discussing individual needs before the child joins.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must make a separate application through Oxfordshire admissions and meet the normal application deadline. Places are allocated through the primary admissions process, with oversubscription criteria applying when demand exceeds capacity.

Familiarity is a separate benefit. Nursery and Reception staff plan events and visits together, helping children get to know adults they may work with if allocated a place. Once Reception places are confirmed, transition arrangements include visits, teacher meetings and a parent information session. These prepare children for the change; they do not secure admission.

Places run for 38 weeks a year. A 15-hour place is offered as either mornings or afternoons; the nursery also offers 30-hour patterns according to age and eligibility. Morning sessions run from 8.45am to 11.45am, and afternoons from 11.45am to 2.45pm. A paid extension to 3.15pm is an option, so collection time can differ from the standard afternoon finish.

Children are eligible for a minimum of fifteen funded hours each week, with extra funded hours for working parents subject to availability. Additional paid sessions can also be booked. Contact the school for current charges. Applications and enquiries go through the office on 01235 527600 or office@tps.cambrianlt.org.

Nursery children wear uniform but need neither PE kit nor school shoes. Parents take early-years children to classroom doors. If someone else will collect, notify the office and use the password system.