King's Ford Infant School and Nursery: Nursery Review

Pumpkins on the weighing scales and phonics from the Nursery class give King's Ford's early years a clear mix of practical discovery and early reading. The nursery belongs to King's Ford Infant School and Nursery in Shrub End, Colchester. Children can start in the term after their second or third birthday.

Refurbished indoor learning spaces sit alongside an outdoor play area. Qualified teachers and early years support staff lead the provision, bringing a teaching team into children's play and exploration. Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 1 and 2 October 2024. This is an early years judgement within the school's inspection.

Play and discovery shape the nursery's approach. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) covers learning, development and children's welfare up to age five. In parent terms, it brings together talking, movement, relationships, early literacy and maths, creative activities and learning about the world. The indoor spaces and outdoor play area give children places to explore these foundations.

October 2024 provides a concrete picture of that learning: children investigated how pumpkins compared in weight with other seasonal objects and kept trying with their task. Staff created activities that prompted curiosity, and children made good progress from their different starting points. Practical comparisons gave them something tangible to think about and discuss.

Early reading starts in Nursery through phonics. Alongside this, children in early years practised sharing and waiting for their turn. Learning to work with others was part of their day, as well as learning new skills.

Predictable routines helped early years children feel secure in October 2024. These were established promptly, giving children a familiar structure as they adjusted to school life. Opportunities to share and take turns also supported learning alongside other children.

Food is part of the daily routine. Children receive healthy snacks whether or not their family makes the optional contribution towards them. For an all-day place, parents can send a packed lunch or order a hot lunch ahead from the school kitchen. That gives families a choice about the midday meal.

For concerns about development or special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the class teacher is the first contact. Parents can arrange a meeting at a mutually suitable time; appointments with the SEND coordinator go through the school office. The nursery registration form also invites information about professional involvement and needs such as speech, toileting or physical support, giving families a way to raise these before a child starts.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and does not confer priority under the school's admission criteria. Families must make a separate Reception application through Essex County Council's normal admissions route by the normal deadline.

Places are allocated using criteria covering looked-after and previously looked-after children, siblings at the school or Iceni Academy, residence in the priority admission area, and other applications. Distance decides priority within an oversubscribed category. Families should therefore make their Reception application separately even when their child already attends Nursery.

Three session choices shape the childcare day: mornings run from 8:45am to 11:45am, afternoons from 12:15pm to 3:15pm, and all-day attendance from 8:45am to 3:15pm. Parents indicate their preferred session when registering interest. A waiting list is in operation, so registering interest should be treated as the start of the process.

Nursery sessions are fully funded. Funding routes include the universal entitlement for three- and four-year-olds, 30 hours for eligible working families, and 15 hours for eligible two-year-olds receiving additional support. Families using the working-family entitlement need a valid eligibility code before starting and must apply in the preceding term.

Charged extras. Hot lunches and nursery breakfast club carry charges, while snack contributions are voluntary. Ask the school for current charges when planning the care you need. Nursery breakfast club bookings use Arbor, and those places are outside the DfE breakfast funding grant.

To enquire, complete the Nursery Registration of Interest Form or contact the office on 01206 574524. Visits can be arranged by telephone, giving families an opportunity to see the nursery spaces before choosing a session.