Templefield Lower School Nursery Review

Three session options shape Templefield’s pre-school: mornings, afternoons or a full day, with Lunch Club bridging the shorter sessions. That gives families a choice between a shorter spell of early learning and a day extending through lunch. This is Templefield Lower School’s own nursery provision in Flitwick, catering for two-, three- and four-year-olds.

A teacher with Qualified Teacher Status works alongside pre-school assistants holding relevant Level 3 qualifications. The staffing model combines a teaching role with support for children’s learning and care.

Early language and mathematical understanding give the learning its direction. At the January 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that early-years children made a good start, with opportunities to practise these skills across their activities. For parents, that means the early-years curriculum connects learning to what children are doing, rather than keeping language and number work apart.

One pre-school activity captured that connection: children collected hailstones using black paper, then talked about their appearance and how they felt. Weather became something to investigate and describe. The example shows how a spontaneous event could become a language activity, with a simple physical resource making the experience tangible.

Lunch Club runs between the morning and afternoon sessions, and a hot meal can be supplied. It provides a lunchtime option for families combining sessions. Lunch Club is listed separately in the charging structure, so families should check current charges with the school when arranging attendance.

For children needing additional help, Templefield’s school-wide SEND approach includes adapting teaching and using targeted activities. Parents can raise concerns with their child’s teacher or contact the SENCo at send@templefield-lower.co.uk. That gives families a direct route to discuss learning needs. Home resources include social stories, speech and language materials, and routines and schedules, offering practical material for parents to use with their child.

Pre-school attendance neither guarantees a Reception place nor gives priority over children who have not attended. Families must make a separate school application through Central Bedfordshire Council’s School Admissions service, meeting the deadline for their intake. The council accepts applications online or on paper.

Keep that distinction clear when choosing sessions: the nursery place and the later school place are separate decisions. Familiarity with Templefield does not change the admissions position.

Morning sessions run from 8:55am to 11:55am; afternoons run from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. A full day starts at 8:55am and finishes at 3:30pm, while Lunch Club occupies 11:55am to 12:30pm. The shorter sessions each last three hours, making the collection point an important part of choosing a pattern.

Nursery Education Funding is accepted for eligible two-, three- and four-year-olds. The standard funded pattern described is term-time provision. Families eligible for the additional 15 hours, bringing funding to 30 hours, must apply through HMRC in the preceding term and supply their 11-digit code. Current session and lunch charges should be checked with the school.

Visits can be arranged through the office on 01525 713625 or office@templefield-lower.co.uk. Session arrangements are confirmed in the half-term before a child starts.

Curriculum oversight. The January 2023 inspection identified school-wide weaknesses in some subject leaders’ curriculum checks and newer governors’ understanding of leaders’ impact. These were areas requiring training and support, relevant to how the school oversees provision.