Twyford C of E School Nursery Review

Gardening tools, a mud kitchen and a basket of rhymes give Twyford’s nursery its character: practical exploration with plenty to talk about. This is the school’s own pre-school provision, within its Foundation Stage. Sessions take up to 15 nursery children. The June 2025 nursery policy welcomes children from the term before their third birthday until they start school.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the March 2023 inspection. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Play and adult guidance share the day. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach combines activities led by staff with children’s own exploration. Development Matters helps staff decide what comes next for each child. In parent language, learning brings together movement, communication and relationships with early reading, number, creativity and discovering how the world works.

Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised begins in nursery through listening to sounds, rhyme and rhythm. The nursery book plan includes Owl Babies and Supertato, giving stories a place alongside practical learning. In March 2023, songs, stories and rhymes supported language development, while puzzles and counting resources brought mathematics into play.

A designated snack area and labelled storage support independence. A performance stage and rhyme basket give children places and prompts for singing. Outside, the garden has tools and watering cans, an outdoor sink and a water butt. Herbs and seeds equip the mud kitchen. Children spend time outside in different weather conditions, so exploration extends beyond fine days.

The garden also supplies conversation. In March 2023, an adult helped children digging for snails and worms build their vocabulary. Nursery learning includes caring for plants and noticing their growth: real things to observe, describe and discuss.

A nursery leader and teaching assistant form part of the early years team, with learning planned alongside the Early Years Lead Teacher. Tapestry, the online learning journal, lets families share learning from home and see experiences from nursery. Staff also make time for conversations at collection and drop-off, keeping everyday observations connected.

Care routines become learning opportunities. Children practise washing hands, choosing snacks and drinks, pouring milk and clearing their space. In March 2023, nursery adults sat with small groups at lunchtime, demonstrating mealtime habits and encouraging conversation. Families can send a packed lunch or order a charged meal from Fresh Start Catering; parents provide spare nappies and wipes.

For additional needs, the school’s SEND arrangements involve parents in assessment and support planning, with termly reviews. Visual prompts, adapted activities and movement breaks are among the possible adjustments. The SENDCo holds the National Award for SEN Co-ordination, giving families a specialist contact within the school team.

Separate application. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply again through Buckinghamshire Council’s coordinated admissions process, meeting the deadline for their entry year. The September 2026 admission arrangements do not give priority for attending this nursery, so families should make their school preferences independently of their nursery choice.

Transition has its own practical programme after allocation. New families can meet the teacher and visit the early years setting, and the Reception teacher visits nurseries, pre-schools or homes. These opportunities help children become familiar with staff; they do not alter admission rights.

Morning sessions run from 9am to noon, with afternoons from noon to 3pm, Monday to Friday. Provision operates for 38 weeks, during term time. The usual minimum booking is three sessions, totalling nine hours each week, with exceptions for exceptional circumstances.

The nursery policy provides funded sessions, including the universal 15-hour entitlement for three- and four-year-olds and up to 30 hours for eligible working parents of that age. Additional sessions beyond funded entitlement are chargeable and paid in advance each half-term. Ask the office for current charges. An 8.45am early drop-off carries a separate charge and needs no advance booking.

Uniform is optional for nursery children; comfortable clothing they can manage themselves takes precedence. To arrange a tour or discuss sessions, contact the office on 01296 730305 or office@twyford.bucks.sch.uk. Registration places a child on the waiting list, and staff discuss availability and session preferences before a start.