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Nursery at Cardinham 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Woodside gives Cardinham’s youngest children a setting apart from the main school building. The nursery belongs to the school’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provision, with its own daily rhythm of morning learning, lunch and afternoon activities. This is a school nursery with a distinct early-years base.
In September 2022, the nursery served three- and four-year-olds. Woodside is the school’s EYFS site, while older pupils use the Main School Building.
An 8:50 welcome starts the Woodside day, followed by registration at 9:00 and learning from 9:10. A break at 10:30 separates the morning’s learning blocks; activities resume at 10:45. Lunch comes at 12:00, afternoon learning begins at 13:00, and the day finishes at 3:00. That gives families a clear timetable around which to organise collection.
Stories and children’s interests help shape the topics. Staff also consider seasonal changes, events meaningful to the children and opportunities in the local area. The approach allows a child’s curiosity to influence learning while keeping planned learning points in view.
The EYFS Framework brings together seven areas of development. Early emphasis falls on speaking and listening, movement, relationships and managing feelings. These foundations support later work with reading and writing, numbers, creative expression and understanding the world. Activities are adapted to children’s needs and interests rather than treating the group as interchangeable.
Maths combines direct teaching with activities children can use during their play and exploration. Practical, Pictorial, Abstract is the named approach: children work through practical experiences and pictures towards abstract ideas. Counting and place value receive particular attention, alongside pattern, comparison, measures and spatial understanding. A number is explored over two weeks, working up to 10, giving time to revisit an idea rather than rushing onwards.
In September 2022, adults extended children’s vocabulary through conversation, and children engaged positively with their peers. Independent learning needed attention. Routines were insufficiently established, and children sometimes depended too heavily on adults because they were unsure how to use activities. Developing independence was a specific improvement priority.
The staffing structure includes an EYFS lead who teaches Hedgehog Class and a teaching assistant attached to that class. This places teaching and classroom support within the early-years team.
For special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the school seeks children’s and parents’ views throughout identification, assessment and reviews of support. Its stated aims include progress in learning, emotional and social development, and independence. For families, involvement continues beyond the initial identification of a need: reviewing support is part of the process too.
Attending Cardinham’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the normal deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two distinct decisions; nursery attendance alone must not be treated as securing the next place.
The school’s Breakfast Club operates from 8:00am to 8:45am, and After School Club from 3:15pm to 5:00pm. Before booking through cardinham@tpacademytrust.org, confirm current nursery eligibility and how club arrangements fit the Woodside day.
For general enquiries, the school can be contacted on 01208 821326 or at cardinham@tpacademytrust.org.
The school’s EYFS provision is based at Woodside, separate from the Main School Building.
Learning covers seven areas, with early emphasis on communication, physical development and personal, social and emotional development. Stories and children’s interests help guide topics.
The day begins with a welcome at 8:50 and ends at 3:00.
No. Families need to apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process by the normal deadline.
Email cardinham@tpacademytrust.org to confirm current nursery eligibility before booking. The school’s Breakfast Club runs from 8:00am to 8:45am; After School Club runs from 3:15pm to 5:00pm.
