Ducklings Nursery at Winklebury Infant School

A team of five, care facilities sized for young children and a choice of three session patterns give Ducklings its practical character. This is Winklebury Infant School’s nursery class for children aged 2 to 4, on Willoughby Way in Basingstoke. It sits within the Federation of Winklebury Infant and Junior Schools, whose schools share a green, wooded site.

The nursery combines playing and learning with everyday care, including nappy changing and support for toilet training. For families choosing a school nursery, those details matter as much as the school connection: this provision accommodates children who are still developing their independence.

Ducklings follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the curriculum framework for young children. In parent terms, play is learning: exploring sensory materials and creating with art and craft resources give children opportunities to develop ideas and try things out. The nursery aims to cover its full breadth through purposeful activities, with learning paced to each child’s age and development. Playing and learning sit together here, rather than being described as separate parts of the session.

Art, craft and sensory materials form part of the resources supported by the consumables contribution. Changes is a named Ducklings summer topic. Beyond the classroom, the shared wooded grounds provide scope for outdoor learning; that is a feature of the school site rather than a description of a separate nursery garden.

A morning snack provides a break in the session. Children staying for the afternoon or the full day also have lunch at school, making mealtimes part of those longer attendance patterns.

Each child has an allocated key person as the first contact for parents. The five-person team also works together across the nursery, so communication starts with a designated adult within a shared team structure.

Care equipment includes potties, sinks and low toilets, alongside facilities for changing nappies. Families supply wipes and nappies. Staff help with toilet training when a child begins to show readiness, allowing this routine to develop alongside nursery attendance.

Food choices are practical: bring a packed lunch or choose a charged school meal supplied by Pabulum. Ducklings serves a snack during the morning, with milk or water to drink, and water is offered across the day. Fruit is provided daily. The school prohibits food and drinks containing nuts, which families need to bear in mind when packing lunch.

For special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) enquiries, parents can contact the school’s SEND coordinator at sendco@winklebury-inf.hants.sch.uk.

Attending Ducklings does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the relevant deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for school as two separate decisions.

Ducklings operates in term time. Morning attendance runs from 8:45am until 11:45am; the afternoon starts at 11:45am and finishes at 3pm. A full day runs from 9am to 3pm and counts as two sessions. Earlier starts at 8:30am or 8:45am can be offered when staffing ratios allow, so that flexibility is conditional.

Eligible funding is accepted. Non-funded hours are charged, and a monthly consumables contribution varies with the number of sessions attended. Families receiving Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) funding are exempt from that contribution. Invoices are monthly and payment is due in advance, either through Arbor or in cash at the main school office. Ask the school for current charges.

For nursery enquiries, telephone 01256 323244 or email adminoffice@winklebury-inf.hants.sch.uk.