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Nursery at Cherry Hinton Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Mud, den building and cooking over a fire give Cherry Hinton’s nursery its distinctive character. An expansive garden and wooded Nature Land make outdoor exploration a substantial part of the provision, rather than an occasional change of scene. This is a nursery for children who enjoy getting involved with real materials.
Attached to Cherry Hinton Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School in Cambridge, the nursery serves children aged three and four. Children can join from the term following their third birthday. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at its June 2023 inspection; that judgement covers early years within the school.
Children have time to choose their own play, alongside activities guided by adults. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum uses topics, books, visitors and trips, with plans adjusted to children’s interests and needs. For parents, this means learning involves conversation, practical exploration and play, with adults introducing ideas and responding to what catches a child’s attention.
Nature Land gives that approach a physical setting. Sand and water play sit alongside mud, sticks and opportunities to construct dens. Children look for insects and birds, identify plants and trees, and follow changes through the seasons. Fire play draws on forest school ideas: adults introduce open fires carefully, and children take part in bonfire building and outdoor cooking. Trips include the local baker, library and allotments, connecting exploration with everyday places.
Stories also become something children do. Weekly Helicopter stories sessions turn children’s ideas into narratives written down by an adult and acted out together. An outdoor stage provides another place for storytelling. Daily books and rhymes accompany listening activities involving rhythm, environmental sounds and oral blending, building foundations for reading.
Number play includes daily counting and subitising: recognising how many objects are in a small group without counting each one. Dough Disco uses squeezing, rolling and finger movements to practise hand control. Scribble club gives nursery children opportunities to invent adventures through drawing and early marks. These are concrete ways to connect language, movement and early mathematical thinking.
The nursery team includes a class teacher, a higher level teaching assistant and teaching assistants. Formal meetings and informal conversations with parents support discussion of children’s development. Tapestry updates show families what children have been learning and allow them to contribute experiences from home. Visual prompts and Makaton signing support language development in a setting where children speak different languages.
Before starting, children entering nursery can visit the school. The SEND policy allows additional visits according to individual needs, giving families a way to build familiarity gradually. For children placed on SEN Support, parents can attend termly meetings, agree next steps and receive their child’s support plan. School accessibility features include a toilet with a changing area and quiet spaces, including a sensory garden.
Food routines come with clear school guidance: lunchboxes should exclude chocolate, sweets and nuts or nut products. Children should bring a named bottle containing plain water, except where there are documented medical reasons. These rules matter when preparing a child’s bag for the day.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal school admissions process, which runs through Cambridgeshire County Council.
Preparation for the next stage is a separate matter. Nursery staff collaborate with the Reception teaching team. The school’s transition policy provides opportunities to meet a new teacher and spend time in the next classroom, with extra visits where needed. Staff also share information between classes, helping the next team understand a child’s needs.
Funded sessions run Monday to Friday. For children receiving 15-hour funding, the choices are mornings, 8:45am to 11:45am, or afternoons, 12:15pm to 3:15pm. Eligible families using 30-hour funding can take the all-day pattern, 8:45am to 2:45pm. A request to change hours depends on space being available.
Application forms can be obtained from the school office or requested at office@cherryhinton.cambs.sch.uk. Return the form with a birth certificate or passport and proof of address. The school’s uniform is a yellow polo shirt with a blue cardigan or sweatshirt; a school logo is optional. Outdoor activity also makes suitable footwear important, with an additional pair of shoes required in winter.
Children can start from the term after they turn three. The nursery is for three- and four-year-olds.
Monday to Friday mornings run from 8:45am to 11:45am and afternoons from 12:15pm to 3:15pm for children receiving 15-hour funding. The all-day pattern for eligible 30-hour-funded children is 8:45am to 2:45pm.
No. A separate application is required through the normal school admissions process via Cambridgeshire County Council.
Families receive Tapestry updates and can share experiences from home. Nursery staff also hold formal and informal meetings with parents.
Children explore the nursery garden and wooded Nature Land, build dens and play with mud, sand, sticks and water. Carefully introduced fire activities include bonfire building and cooking over flames.
