Little Lodge Nursery at Yateley Manor School

Woodland activity, stories and practical problem-solving give Little Lodge Nursery at Yateley Manor School its early learning character. This is the nursery within an independent school, on Reading Road in Yateley. Entry starts from 9 months, with Reception normally beginning at 4 years.

The nursery has a manager, a deputy, room supervisors, practitioners and assistants. Qualifications across the practitioner team include Childcare Level 2 and Level 3. That structure gives families both room-level staff and nursery management to approach about their child’s care.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) takes practical form here through conversation, movement, play and learning to cooperate. At the ISI inspection of 12 to 14 November 2024, early-years teaching used assessment effectively to establish children’s understanding and identify where extra help was needed. In November 2024, adults read aloud, talked with children as they played and asked questions that took their thinking further. Language developed through everyday exchanges.

Problem-solving has an equally concrete shape: children calculated the extra chairs needed so classmates could join an activity. Dance and French added other experiences. These examples show learning extending beyond listening to an adult, with children working things out and trying different ways to express themselves.

Physical activity included catching and throwing, alongside climbing, jumping and skipping. The woodland learning space provided further opportunities to practise movement and coordination. Children sustained their attention and chose activities confidently in November 2024, giving them an active role in their learning.

Social learning was practical too in November 2024. Circle time helped children practise listening and cooperation; building a brick tower together gave them turns to take and a shared task to complete. Rebuilding after it fell made collaboration part of play rather than simply an instruction.

Settling begins before the first regular session. Children are invited to introductory sessions to get to know their surroundings and classmates. In November 2024, new starters settled quickly, with gentle encouragement to explore and participate. Early-years children also practised independence by using a board with their photograph and name to register themselves.

In November 2024, an online learning record gave parents updates about learning and care routines. Learning at home. In November 2024, parents received advice where a child had a particular need, but general guidance for nursery families on extending learning at home needed improvement. Regular communication did not yet consistently translate into practical activities for families.

For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the SENCO liaises with parents and other professionals. Individual Education Plans or provision maps, where required, are developed with parental input and include review dates. Discussing a child’s needs is essential: provision beyond the school’s resources can involve additional charges or support outside school.

Food requirements and allergies must be communicated in writing; a medically diagnosed food allergy requires a doctor’s note. A comforter is allowed. In November 2024, nursery children were supervised well both on site and during off-site activities.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Existing pupils are expected to progress if they meet the required behaviour and progress standards; the normal entry procedures exclude pupils already moving through the school. This is conditional progression, rather than an unconditional promise.

Nursery attendance is not an age-four oversubscription priority. Staff children within Inspired Learning Group come first, followed by siblings of current or former pupils, then other applicants by registration order. For a Reception place that has been offered, families must confirm acceptance a term before entry and return the school acceptance, medical and consent forms to the School Administrator. Plan that confirmation separately from nursery attendance.

Term-time bookings cover five school days, either 08:30–15:30 or 08:00–18:00. Full-year patterns cover three, four or five days. Term-time attendance follows the school calendar; full-year charges are calculated over 51 weeks and averaged across 12 monthly payments. Session changes require two calendar months’ notice, so reducing attendance needs advance planning.

Eligible families can use 15 or 30 funded hours. Funding covers childcare, with meals, consumables and hours beyond the entitlement excluded; additional charges are described for non-funded hours. Ask the school for current charges. Monthly payments still cover bank holidays, public holidays and inset closures, and sickness or holidays do not attract refunds.

Use the enquiry form to contact the Admissions Team, or book a nursery tour lasting 30 minutes. Collection is by a parent or an authorised alternative; another collector can be authorised using an agreed password.