Heywood Prep Nursery Review

An old Fire Station, a walled garden and lessons with the main school's specialists give Heywood Nursery its own character within Heywood Prep in Corsham. Children can start from 2 years old. Each child has a dedicated class teacher, providing a consistent adult alongside the specialist teaching.

The nursery occupies the school's old Fire Station and has its own playground as well as the walled Nursery garden. These distinct spaces give children somewhere to play games and somewhere to develop imaginative outdoor play.

Play sits alongside taught activities. Music, Spanish and PE involve specialist teachers from the main school, while forest school adds another outdoor element. For parents, that means the nursery experience includes introductions to language, movement and music alongside children's play.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guides learning: children develop through exploration, play and practical experiences. In December 2025, early years teaching used pictures to explain the timetable and resources to support learning through play. A visual timetable gives children a way to understand what happens next.

Story sharing and adults demonstrating language supported children's communication in December 2025. Encouragement after mistakes helped them persist. Learning also included group activities and opportunities to play and work with older pupils, giving children practice in sharing and cooperating beyond their own class.

Short outings connected learning with everyday life. In December 2025, early years children visited the town centre, including the post office to purchase stamps. Such tasks make local services and the purpose of money concrete for young children.

A dedicated class teacher provides each nursery child's personalised support. In December 2025, adaptations for early years children with special educational needs and/or disabilities made learning accessible. Adults also encouraged children to make choices that included others, turning social expectations into something children could practise during play.

Lunch is freshly cooked on site by Chapter One. Children have a hot meal, with a vegetarian choice alongside meat or fish, plus soup and salad. Staff supervise lunch, and families communicate allergies and dietary needs through the Medical Form, updating the School Office if those needs change.

Eating arrangements. During the December 2025 inspection, early years lunchtime seating needed changing to support safe eating consistently. It was corrected during the inspection, but consistent implementation of eating protocols remained the recommended next step. This is a material consideration for families assessing mealtime care.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Confirm Reception application requirements, the application route and any deadline with the admissions team.

Heywood Nursery aims to prepare children for the move into its Reception classes. That educational aim should be kept separate from the question of securing a place.

The nursery day runs from 8am to 4pm. Wraparound care is available from 7.30am to 8am and from 4pm to 6pm, extending the practical options for families who need an earlier start or later collection.

Lunch and snacks are charged separately from nursery tuition. Contact the school for current charges. For an enquiry or an individual tour on a normal school day, email admissions@heywoodprep.com or call 01249 713379. A tour offers a useful opportunity to see the nursery's indoor space, playground and garden before choosing it.