Thomas Whitehead Church of England Academy Nursery

Daily outdoor play and a choice of morning, afternoon or full-time attendance shape nursery life at Thomas Whitehead Church of England Academy. This is the school’s nursery for three and four year olds in Houghton Regis, with a maximum of 26 children per session. A nursery teacher works alongside an assistant, giving children a classroom team within the wider school.

Christian values are part of its identity: Respect, Hope and Perseverance. Ofsted judged early years provision Good at the inspection on 17 and 18 June 2025. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Choice and adult guidance share the session. Children select activities and practise completing a task, while groups led by adults introduce new skills and opportunities to work together. Learning happens indoors and outdoors, with daily access to the outside area whatever the weather. For children attending all day, activities take account of changing energy levels, with time for rest and quieter pursuits.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning with care and development. Communication, movement and emotional development form its starting points; number, literacy, creative work and exploring the world build alongside them. This makes play part of the learning itself. In June 2025, the early years curriculum was ambitious, staff understood it, and activities helped children put their knowledge to use. Adults demonstrated speaking, reading and writing, with a strong emphasis on communication.

Little Wandle: Letters & Sounds Revised provides the approach to phonics. In nursery, the foundations include poems, stories, action rhymes and listening activities, including joining spoken sounds together. Daily maths meetings explore counting, shape, quantities and sorting. Mini Mash adds a named digital resource for nursery and preschool children.

Planting gives those ideas a practical setting. Nursery children have grown sunflowers, planted vegetables outside and sown cress, counting the days until it grows. Comparing fruit seeds and learning plant vocabulary connect number, language and discovery through something children can watch change.

Settling is planned with parents. Staff agree how to help each child adjust and keep families informed about their progress, rather than expecting one approach to suit everyone. Class Dojo carries weekly nursery updates and photographs of learning, giving parents something concrete to discuss with their child.

Morning and afternoon snacks bring children together to eat, with fruit and either water or milk. Children staying through lunch have a supervised break. Rest and quiet activities accommodate individual needs during the day.

Children can start nursery wearing nappies. Families provide wipes, nappies and spare clothing in a labelled bag; when toilet training begins, parents and the key person agree an approach together. Each session has at least one member of staff trained in first aid, and parents are told about accidents.

For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), support is planned with families and the school’s SENCO. Plans are developed and reviewed together. Early years children with an education, health and care plan have reviews every six months, unless an additional review is needed. The school also has accessible changing facilities and two wheelchair-accessible toilets, practical features for families considering care and mobility needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Central Bedfordshire Council School Admissions and meet the normal application deadline. Treat that application as a separate step from choosing nursery sessions.

Transition support for children with SEND can include meetings with families and professionals, sharing records, visiting the next class and using photographs to make the new setting familiar. These arrangements support the child’s move; they do not secure admission.

Attendance runs Monday to Friday during term time. Families choose five mornings, five afternoons or full-time provision. Morning sessions run from 08:45 to 11:45; afternoon sessions run from 12:30 to 15:30.

The 15-hour entitlement starts in the term after a child turns three. Eligible families can use 30-hour funded places and provide their approved eligibility code to the office. Funding excludes the 45-minute lunch break between 11:45 and 12:30. Children staying for that break incur a supervision charge separate from dinner costs; taking them home for lunch avoids the supervision charge. Contact the school for current charges.

Pull-on clothing and Velcro shoes help children manage dressing independently. Label clothes and footwear, and provide weather-appropriate outdoor clothing. Collection by another adult must be authorised with the school. Nursery enquiries go to office@twa.dsamat.co.uk or 01582 865466; school tours can also be booked through the office.