Highfield South Farnham School Nursery

An EYFS playground and learning spaces indoors and out give Highfield South Farnham’s nursery a clear physical setting within school life. This is the school’s own nursery on Weydon Lane in south Farnham, part of a primary school welcoming children aged 3 to 11. For parents, the distinction matters: nursery is the starting point here, while admission to Reception remains a separate decision.

Indoor and outdoor learning carry real weight. In March 2024, Ofsted found that the quality of the early-years spaces helped children build knowledge and skills very effectively throughout their learning. The EYFS playground gives that outdoor provision a concrete identity. Learning extends beyond an indoor classroom.

EYFS means Early Years Foundation Stage, the nursery’s early learning framework. Learning indoors and outdoors helps children build skills and knowledge across that framework. Phonics Steps supports the early sound learning within it. Its sound illustrations, songs and actions offer children several ways to remember what they are learning. The programme progresses through five phases, with sound learning building towards words. That makes the approach useful for parents to understand too: the emphasis is on manageable steps rather than treating reading as one single task.

Nursery children also participated in the Reindeer Race, a fundraising event involving children through to Year 6. Parent marshals and pupil sports leaders helped with the event. It is a specific example of nursery joining an activity across the school, with older children taking supporting roles.

Behaviour routines begin early. The March 2024 inspection found that expectations for behaviour were already established in the early years, giving children a consistent framework as they begin school life.

The school’s SEND structure brings together a SENDCO, teachers and classroom assistants. Small-group support and monitoring of children’s progress are part of that structure; educational psychologists and other agencies can contribute where appropriate. For a family concerned about development, this gives a clear starting point for discussing support.

Parents of children on the SEND register are invited to termly discussions about provision and receive an annual progress report. Support follows an assess, plan, do and review cycle, with parents involved in deciding adjustments and reviewing their impact. Where a child already has identified needs, agency involvement or an education, health and care plan, the school gathers relevant information before they start so that support can begin early.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. The school participates in the local authority’s coordinated scheme, which uses equal preference. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two distinct steps.

The school office handles general enquiries on 01252 721079 or at info.highfield@sfet.org.uk. The address is Weydon Lane, Farnham, GU9 8QH.

My Child at School, usually shortened to MCAS, carries school communications and provides parents with alerts and announcements. Account setup begins with an email invitation, followed by activation through a browser before using the app. This makes the parent account a practical part of keeping in touch.