Bushy Leaze Early Years Centre Nursery Review

Sensory rooms, outdoor playgrounds and a SEND specialism give Bushy Leaze its character. The nursery provision belongs to a maintained nursery school within a children and families centre in Alton, alongside family support and outreach services. Children aged 2 to 5 can attend, with full-time and part-time places. Thirty places are reserved for East Hampshire children with special educational needs or disabilities, allocated by Hampshire County Council.

This is provision built around the years before school. Family support sits alongside nursery learning, giving parents a connection beyond their child's sessions.

Child-led play shapes the curriculum. Bushy Leaze follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which combines learning and care: talking, movement and relationships develop alongside early reading, maths, creativity and understanding the world. Its Golden Threads prioritise communication and language, together with personal, social and emotional skills. Simple symbols and Makaton signs help children recognise and discuss feelings, making communication part of everyday activity.

Indoor sensory rooms and outdoor playgrounds provide different spaces for exploration. In July 2023, children built duck ponds through water play and experimented with sand dams, learning to cooperate while investigating materials. Building blocks and climbing became opportunities to discuss shape, position and movement. Watching caterpillars turn into butterflies and chicks emerge from eggs brought life cycles into children's experience.

Stories and singing punctuated sessions in July 2023, while children used their written names to organise snack turns and family time. Adults demonstrated complete sentences and encouraged precise vocabulary, supporting children to express ideas. Early writing. At the inspection on 11 and 12 July 2023, opportunities to make marks were insufficient and progression across ages lacked clarity. Children consequently achieved less than they could in early writing; families should weigh this concern alongside the emphasis on spoken language.

Settling begins before the first session, with a home visit and an All About Me booklet completed with parents. Parents can remain briefly if their child needs that reassurance. Each child has both a key person and a key buddy, providing familiar adults who share information and support learning. Tapestry gives families another communication channel.

Fruit or vegetables, breadsticks and crackers are provided as snacks, with milk and water to drink. Bushy Leaze is nut aware and asks families to keep nuts, sweets and fizzy drinks out of lunchboxes. Parents are asked for a snack contribution or fruit to share, so food involves a contribution alongside the nursery's provision.

SEND support includes individual planning and advice from a multidisciplinary team. In July 2023, specialised teaching in Dragonflies and external expertise supported children with SEND, who participated throughout nursery life with learning adapted to their needs. Safeguarding was effective at that inspection. Staff now receive annual safeguarding training, with regular professional development updates. The single-storey building has step-free entry, wide corridors and an accessible toilet, practical features for families whose children have mobility needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Treat choosing nursery and obtaining a school place as separate decisions.

Preparation for the next stage is a different matter. In July 2023, adults checked children's learning and used it to plan individual next steps, with a clear emphasis on communication. That supports readiness to participate in school life; it does not secure admission.

Sessions run in term time, with core hours of 9am to 3pm. Full-time places comprise 30 hours and part-time places 15 hours. For two-year-olds, attendance is currently capped at 15 hours through five three-hour sessions. A minimum of two sessions per week applies.

Children attending the core hours can use Early Club, from 8.35am to 9am, or Late Club, from 3pm to 3.30pm. These clubs and paid nursery sessions carry charges; contact the centre for current charges. All children qualify for 15 funded hours from the term after their third birthday; eligibility for 30 hours depends on household circumstances. Some two-year-olds qualify for 15 funded hours from the term after turning two, depending on household circumstances.

Uniform is optional; clothing should suit active play and the weather. Parking. The car park is for staff, and families must avoid the yellow zig-zag markings outside. Plan collection accordingly. To enquire or arrange a look around, call 01420 87675 or email adminoffice@bushyleaze.hants.sch.uk.