Nursery at Hampton Infant School and Nursery

Listening for everyday sounds, exploring small numbers and learning to play together give this nursery its character. At Hampton Infant School and Nursery on Ripley Road, the emphasis is on foundations children can use: early listening, number knowledge and growing independence.

For September 2026 entry, the nursery offered 36 places, divided between 16 full-day places and 10 each for mornings and afternoons. Children needed to be three by 31 August 2026. Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Outstanding following its inspection on 7 and 8 November 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the curriculum framework. Here, its practical expression includes learning about family and home, exploring numbers up to five and tuning in to surrounding sounds. These are purposeful starting points: understanding where you live prepares children for geography, while recognising sounds prepares them for phonics and reading.

In November 2023, nursery mathematics developed children's understanding of how numbers work. Listening activities also gave children practice in distinguishing the sounds around them. The emphasis is on building understanding before moving to more complex learning.

Experiences beyond these foundations have specific names and purposes. The nursery enrichment programme includes Science Week, Explorer Dome, a visit from a travelling farm and Singing Hands. A walk to Waitrose to purchase a snack for sharing takes learning into a familiar local setting. Visits from a police officer and a crossing patrol worker introduce people whose jobs help others. For parents, these examples give a concrete sense of the subjects children encounter beyond number and sound activities.

Nursery Stay and Play Sessions were scheduled for 7 September 2026, providing a named starting activity for that intake. The joining process also includes summer communications and a provisional transition schedule for children entering nursery. This gives families information to prepare for the change.

Playing cooperatively is part of the early-years experience. In November 2023, children learned to get along during play, and established routines supported their behaviour and attention to learning. Independence also begins in early years, making everyday social habits part of the educational work.

For concerns about a child's development, Hampton Primary Partnership has an Inclusion team, including a SEND lead teacher for the infant school. Parents can discuss progress or concerns with that team. The partnership also supports the local authority's Inclusion Charter, which recognises that children learn differently.

Separate application. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply again through the normal school admissions process and meet its deadline. Applications go through the family's home local authority; the admissions page directs parents to Achieving for Children for the relevant arrangements.

Keep preparation and allocation separate. The school's summer transition communications help children prepare to join nursery or Reception once a place has been confirmed; they do not secure that place.

The morning nursery session runs from 8.30am to 11.30am. Afternoon and full-day places are also part of the September 2026 offer. Nursery gates close at 3.40pm.

The nursery joining pack includes a Parent Funding Authorisation Form for the 2026–2027 intake. Admissions enquiries go to admissions.hisn@hpp.school. School tours can be booked through the website for winter and spring, with registration opening in the preceding September; bookings depend on space on the selected tour.