Grove House Infant and Nursery School Nursery Review

Planting, pirates and pretend play give Grove House’s nursery its character: children explore questions through stories, songs and practical discovery. This is the school’s own nursery, with 26 places, on Gilpins Ride in Dereham. Its morning hours run from 9:00am to 12:00pm, making the provision a practical fit for families seeking a morning session.

Play carries the learning. Birth to Five Matters guides the nursery curriculum, with topic questions connecting activities to subjects young children can explore: their families, how plants grow, woodland stories and life aboard a pirate ship. Rhymes, role play and experiments give children different ways to join in, whether they prefer talking, imagining or trying something themselves.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach brings learning and development together through play. Adults observe children’s interests and incorporate their ideas into planning, so children help shape what happens next. Classroom topics introduce vocabulary and invite questions; outdoors, play gives children opportunities to judge risks and practise independence. The learning environment extends beyond the classroom.

Practical activities include building dens, making models from discarded materials and experimenting with construction toys. Art combines adult guidance with children’s own choices, including making marks and exploring modelling materials. These are concrete opportunities to test ideas and change a design, rather than simply complete a finished product.

Captain Curiosity and Inspector Independent give recognisable characters to the school’s learning powers. In May 2025, Ofsted found that early-years children developed curiosity and independence very well. Staff helped children broaden their vocabulary and use their ideas in play, linking language with the things that interested them.

Partnership with parents forms part of the early-years approach, with families and staff exchanging information about children. Across the school, parents receive Class Dojo access and staff share photographs of activities. That gives families a way to see learning beyond their child’s account of the morning.

For additional needs, staff work with families and, where needed, outside agencies to assess needs and plan support. Widgit symbols support communication, including visual timetables and individual communication aids. Children on the school’s SEND register have support plans setting out their strategies and interventions, giving families a concrete basis for discussing support.

Edwards & Blake provide catering for Grove House Infant and Nursery School. The school also permits packed lunches, asking families to avoid fizzy drinks, sweets and chocolate bars.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no priority in admission decisions. The school manages nursery admissions; Norfolk County Council manages entry to Reception. Families must make a separate application, either online through Norfolk’s admissions service or using a Common Application Form. Choosing the nursery and applying for school are separate decisions.

The nursery session runs from 9:00am until 12:00pm. For nursery enquiries, contact the Grove House office on 01362 694379 or email office@ghn.unity-ed.uk. Parents can discuss admission with the headteacher and arrange to be shown around the school. A visit offers a useful opportunity to see the setting before choosing it.