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Nursery at Old Buckenham Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A bug hotel and animal care give Old Buckenham’s early years provision a practical, exploratory character. The nursery belongs to Old Buckenham Primary School on Abbey Road in Old Buckenham, Norfolk. Its place within the school brings an early years curriculum focused on children trying ideas, developing independence and learning how to learn.
The outdoor learning area serves the youngest children. That is the physical feature that matters here: space for active discovery alongside the school’s approach to playing, concentrating and solving problems.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the starting point for learning. Development Matters sits alongside it, describing development through broad age bands and stages. For parents, the emphasis is on how children approach an activity as well as what they learn: exploring something unfamiliar, persisting when it becomes difficult and deciding how to try again.
The Characteristics of Effective Learning shape this approach across early years. Children use existing knowledge to investigate, practise sustained attention and develop their own solutions. Music is planned within everyday early years provision, with separate teaching where appropriate; songs help introduce topics and ideas. This gives learning a route through sound and participation as well as exploration.
Outdoor examples make that approach concrete. A bug hotel supplied by New Buckenham Gardening Group gives early years children somewhere to investigate minibeasts. During the March 2026 Learn About Livestock experience, early years children visited a ewe and lambs in their choosing time, measured feed and helped care for the animals. This was an opportunity to connect measuring with a real task, rather than an abstract exercise.
In May 2024, Ofsted found that early years children were encouraged to question, experiment and reconsider mistakes, while staff taught routines that helped them succeed. Those findings concern early years across the school.
An EYFS leader and teaching assistant support roles form part of the school’s early years team. The school aims to respond flexibly to children’s needs, including their emotional, social and behavioural development alongside learning. That makes inclusion broader than help with academic work alone.
Families can contact the SEND team at senco@obps.set.education. Tapestry is used in EYFS, including for recording mathematical observations and assessments, giving staff a way to capture what children demonstrate during learning.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as two decisions; joining the nursery does not remove the need to apply again.
For enquiries about places, the school office is the first contact on 01953 860380. Families can also email office@obps.set.education or submit an enquiry through the contact form. Visits can be arranged by contacting the school, offering a practical opportunity to explore the setting before choosing it.
No. A separate Reception application is required through the normal admissions process.
The EYFS, Development Matters and the Characteristics of Effective Learning guide the approach, with emphasis on exploration, persistence and thinking through ideas.
There is an outdoor learning area for the youngest children and a bug hotel supplied by New Buckenham Gardening Group for early years exploration.
Email senco@obps.set.education or telephone 01953 860380.
Contact the school office on 01953 860380 or email office@obps.set.education. An enquiry form is also available, and visits can be arranged by contacting the school.
