Lidlington Primary School Nursery Review

Early language, number skills and familiar routines give this preschool its school-based character. At Hurst Grove in Lidlington, the nursery sits within Lidlington Primary School’s early years provision, with an early years teacher whose responsibilities also include EYFS leadership and safeguarding.

Ofsted rated early years provision Good following its November 2022 inspection. That is a judgement of the school’s early years phase, rather than a separate nursery inspection.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum brings together communication, physical development, relationships and learning about the world. The early years plans organise learning across a two-year cycle, with topics including All About Me, Dinosaurs and Transport. These give children recognisable starting points for exploring themselves and the world around them.

In November 2022, inspectors found that children adapted promptly to classroom routines and that early years teaching gave substantial attention to language and mathematics. Learning letter sounds also began from the start of early years. For parents, the emphasis is on building the foundations for later learning: understanding language, becoming familiar with numbers and recognising how letters sound. Little Wandle is the school’s named reading programme.

Relationships with families were a strength of early years provision in November 2022. The school’s arrangements for new EYFS starters include visits at home and scheduled communication, giving families opportunities for contact with staff.

For children needing additional help, the school describes Individual Support Plans across its year groups, with teaching staff drawing on the SEND coordinator and external professionals when needed. This provides a structure for agreeing support around a child’s needs. The school’s personal-care policy also provides for Individual Healthcare Plans where intimate care is required, with privacy and increasing independence guiding staff practice.

Lunch offers a practical choice. Preschool children can have a purchased hot meal or bring a packed lunch. The kitchen provides two courses, with a vegetarian option and a salad bar alongside vegetables. Hot meals can be purchased by the day, week or term; contact the office for current charges. Families receiving the benefits listed in the school’s lunch guidance may qualify for free meals, so eligibility is a separate question from choosing a hot lunch.

Reception admission is separate. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a fresh application through the normal school admissions process, using Central Bedfordshire Council’s route.

The admission arrangements for the 2026/27 academic year give no priority for preschool attendance. They instead consider care status, qualifying staff connections, catchment residence and siblings, with distance used to distinguish applicants where necessary. Choose the preschool for the provision itself, and treat the Reception application as a separate decision.

Visits can be booked through the office on 01525 402377 or at office@thomasjohnsonschool.co.uk. The office also handles preschool enquiries and helps families take the next steps towards applying.

Dawn til Dusk provides additional childcare on the school site, using the Library and Hall. Its Breakfast Club runs from 7.30am to 9.00am, and Afterschool Club from 3.20pm to 6.00pm. The provider describes its provision as serving children aged three to twelve, making these clubs relevant to families balancing preschool with work.

The EYFS uniform includes a school sweatshirt or cardigan, a white top and black shorts, joggers or leggings, with black trainers. Preschool children use the patio door to enter. At collection, children remain with their teacher until the collecting adult is identified, giving the handover a clear procedure.