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Nursery at John Donne Church of England 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Construction, role play and storytelling give John Donne’s nursery its character: early learning combines time to explore with teaching guided by adults. The nursery belongs to the school’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in Blunham. Its capacity is equivalent to 40 full-time places, rather than a count of children attending each session.
Children start in the term following a child’s third birthday. Families can choose a morning, afternoon or full day, making the length of the nursery day a practical part of the decision. Ofsted judged early years provision Requires improvement at the inspection on 28 and 29 November 2023; this is an early-years judgement within the school inspection, rather than a separate nursery rating.
Play and adult teaching share the day. The EYFS curriculum covers seven learning areas, with emphasis on talking, listening and personal and social development. For parents, that means communication and learning to relate to others are priorities alongside early literacy and number work.
Indoors and outdoors, children have learning spaces and resources to return to during their play. Construction, small-world and role-play areas sit alongside creative and maths provision. These give children different ways to explore ideas, while storytelling, conversation and problem-solving create opportunities to practise language. Adults also guide learning in small groups, so the day includes shared tasks as well as activities children choose themselves.
Outdoor learning has included a Forest School style approach. The school’s review of its 2023-2024 provision describes EYFS outdoor activities aimed at physical development. This adds a movement-focused strand to the learning environment, with opportunities to develop both hand control and larger body movements.
Settling begins before the first session. A visit with a parent introduces the child to the EYFS surroundings and staff, and the start date is agreed at that meeting. Two staff members then visit the family home. Meeting there gives the team a chance to get to know the child in familiar surroundings before nursery begins.
The EYFS team includes a Nursery Leader, a teaching assistant and an Early Years Leader. For children with additional needs, nursery staff exchange information with previous settings and raise concerns with the special educational needs and disabilities coordinator (SENDCo); a further meeting can follow where needed. In November 2023, Ofsted identified more accurate recognition of SEND beginning in the early years, helping staff select suitable adjustments.
Lunch can extend a morning session, with collection at 1pm. Families may provide their own food or consumables rather than take optional additional services, giving them a choice over this part of the nursery day.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. It also brings no nursery-attendance priority under the 2027-28 admission arrangements. Parents must make a separate application through their home local authority using its Common Application Form.
For September 2027 entry, the deadline is 15 January 2027. Treat that application as a separate task: registering with the nursery does not complete it. The nursery decision and the Reception allocation remain distinct.
Morning sessions run from 9am to noon, afternoons from 12:30pm to 3:30pm, and full days from 9am to 3:30pm. Paid additions require advance booking and payment through the office and depend on availability. The number of 30-hour spaces is limited.
Funding for three- and four-year-olds is structured around 15 universal hours or 30 hours for eligible working parents, over 38 term-time weeks. A full nursery week totals 32.5 hours, leaving 2.5 hours chargeable beyond the extended entitlement. Meals, consumables and optional activities may attract additional charges; request the current charge schedule before accepting a place.
Contact the office on 01767 640346 or office@johndonne.co.uk to enquire or arrange a tour. EYFS uniform includes a white polo shirt, navy sweatshirt or cardigan, grey bottoms and black shoes. School-logo clothing is optional, so plain equivalents in the specified colours are acceptable.
The admissions page gives the term after the child’s third birthday as the starting point. Registration can be made from birth.
Mornings run from 9am to noon, afternoons from 12:30pm to 3:30pm, and full days from 9am to 3:30pm. A morning session can be extended through lunch, with collection at 1pm.
You visit the EYFS with your child before they start, meet staff and agree a start date. Two members of staff also arrange a home visit.
There are 15 universal funded hours for three- and four-year-olds and 30 hours for eligible working parents, on a term-time basis. The nursery limits its 30-hour spaces, and additional hours and optional extras can be charged.
No. Nursery attendance neither guarantees a place nor confers priority under the 2027-28 arrangements. For September 2027 entry, apply separately through your home local authority by 15 January 2027.
