Malmesbury Park Primary School Nursery

Indoor or outdoor play is a choice children can make throughout exploration time at Malmesbury Park Nursery. Short group activities give the day its rhythm, while longer stretches let children pursue their play with adults joining in. This is the primary school's own nursery on Lowther Road in Bournemouth, with ramp access into the nursery.

Children must be 3 when they start, with new starters joining in September, January or April. Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at its inspection on 15 and 16 March 2022. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Dance or yoga brings children together before maths in their key groups. Counting the children present, discussing feelings and checking the weather make these small gatherings about more than numbers. Exploration follows, with access to both the classroom and outdoor space. Adults join children's play through questions and demonstrations, or work individually with a child on a planned activity.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach here connects learning with practical play. The nursery aims to use children's interests and next steps to shape activities, with adults helping them extend their thinking. For children staying all day, afternoon activities develop what they began in the morning rather than simply repeating it.

Stories and songs are daily fixtures. Read, Write, Inc accompanies story or phonics activities, while core books include Dear Zoo and You Choose. Incy Wincy Spider is among the familiar rhymes. Books go home each week, and children choose their replacement on Tuesday, giving families a regular opportunity to share stories together.

Curriculum sequencing. In March 2022, some early years learning needed finer steps because children did not consistently retain important ideas. Parents should consider how activities build understanding over time as well as how engaging they sound.

Key workers provide a first point of contact, with the nursery leader available for further discussion. Tapestry gives parents an online journal of activities and achievements; an activation email comes during the child's first week. It offers concrete starting points for talking together about nursery life.

A minimum of 12 hours each week is normally required to support settling and continuity, although individual needs may justify fewer hours after discussion with the nursery leader. Children are expected to be out of nappies and toilet trained, with continuing support recognised. Spare clothes should come with them.

Fruit, water and milk feature at snack time, and pouring drinks gives children a practical independence task. All-day children eat in the nursery, choosing a purchased hot meal or a packed lunch. Packed food cannot be refrigerated or heated, so families need an ice pack or thermos as appropriate. A named water bottle keeps drinks accessible.

For SEND discussions, families can contact the school's inclusion team through the SENDCo. The school emphasises early intervention and working with parents and outside agencies, making individual needs a useful starting point for those conversations.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal school admissions route. For September 2026 entry, applications went through BCP Council and the deadline was 15 January 2026; that cycle is now past.

Preparation for school includes targets sent home each half term. These give families something specific to practise with their child. Preparation and admission remain separate questions: familiarity with the school does not secure a place.

Morning sessions run from 8:45 to 11:45, afternoons from 12:15 to 15:15, and all-day attendance from 8:45 to 15:15, subject to availability. Nursery applications go to the school office, which can supply a form by telephone or email and arrange a tour.

The nursery accepts 15-hour funding from the term after a child's third birthday. Eligible families seeking 30-hour funding apply through HMRC and complete the Early Education Funding form with their eligibility code and national insurance number. They must apply for the code before the term starts or cannot use it until the following term; eligibility must be reconfirmed every 3 months. Additional morning or afternoon sessions can be purchased beyond funded entitlement. All-day lunchtime supervision has a separate charge that excludes the meal; ask the school for current charges.

Nursery clothing is encouraged: easy-to-manage black trousers or jogging bottoms, a red polo shirt and jumper, and shoes children can manage independently. Named clothing, wellies and a waterproof coat help with outdoor activities. Children say goodbye to their accompanying adult at the outside door.