Colnbrook Church of England Primary School Nursery

Two classrooms and a large outdoor area give Colnbrook’s nursery children space to follow their interests. The nursery belongs to an Early Years Unit, with access to the Reception classroom, its resources and staff during the day. That shared environment is a practical feature of the nursery experience.

Children join in the term after turning three. There are up to 42 nursery places, with 21 in each session. This is nursery provision within a Church of England primary school on High Street, Colnbrook; the school welcomes families of every faith and culture.

Play shapes the learning. Adults observe children and interact with them, then use what they learn about individual interests and development to plan activities. Children explore materials, build, experiment and create, with opportunities both indoors and outside. Access to the large outdoor area lasts throughout the day, giving outdoor play a substantial place in the routine.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings care and learning together. Here, its priorities include developing language, physical skills and relationships, alongside managing feelings. The nursery aims to make early reading, writing and mathematical thinking meaningful by connecting learning with children’s interests. Adults help children pursue ideas and keep trying when something proves difficult.

Books also connect nursery and home: children are encouraged to choose something from home, the library or their classroom to share with parents. This gives families a straightforward way to take part in early reading. Within design technology, nursery learning follows the EYFS, concentrating on understanding the world and creative work.

In March 2024, Ofsted found that early-years learning built on children’s starting points and developed their social skills and capacity to learn. Staff also explicitly taught routines and language that helped children learn how to participate. The emphasis is on learning how to learn, as well as what to learn.

Each child has a key person in the early years team. The purpose is to build a trusting relationship with a familiar adult, giving children reassurance as they become more independent. Parents are treated as partners in their child’s development, while observations help staff plan around individual needs.

For children attending the extended day, lunch comes from home. Families therefore need to include a packed lunch in their daily preparations. For SEND questions, the school’s SENDCo can be contacted through the office. Speech Links Parent Portal also offers parents speech and language activities and advice, providing a named resource for support at home.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and does not confer priority in the Reception allocation criteria. Families must make a separate Reception application through Slough Borough Council. Choosing the nursery should therefore be a decision about the nursery experience itself.

Sharing the Early Years Unit gives children access to Reception’s classroom, staff and resources during their nursery day. That offers familiarity with the surroundings; it remains separate from the process of allocating school places.

The universal 15-hour offer runs Monday to Friday, either from 8.40am to 11.40am or from 12.15pm to 3.15pm. Eligible families can take the extended 30-hour offer, running Monday to Friday from 8.40am to 3.15pm. A morning or afternoon preference can be requested, but the school decides which session it can offer.

Eligibility checking. Parents seeking a 30-hour place must obtain an eligibility code and return it for checking before they can reserve the place. This is a necessary step in arranging the longer day.

Nursery application forms go directly to the school. For enquiries, contact the office on 01753 683661 or email mail@colnbrookprimary.com. School visits can be arranged through the office. Afternoon nursery drop-off is at the front gate, where nursery staff meet the children.