Little Squirrels at Shiplake Church of England School

A willow structure, planting beds and woodland walks give Little Squirrels its outdoor character. This is the nursery at Shiplake Church of England School, managed by the school’s governors. It moved into a room on the school site in September 2022, bringing nursery life onto the same site as the next stage of education.

Children have their own garden as well as access to nearby woodland and open countryside. Indoors, the nursery occupies a spacious, light room. The combination gives play two distinct settings: space inside for activities and a garden for planting and exploration.

Play shapes the learning here. Children’s interests influence activities, alongside adult-planned opportunities involving early literacy, maths, creative expression and understanding the world around them. The nursery covers the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), combining these learning areas with physical development, communication and learning to manage feelings and relationships. For parents, that means learning extends beyond early reading and number work.

Language runs through the activities rather than being confined to a separate lesson. The nursery aims to develop independence and curiosity through play that involves solving problems, making things and exploring. Children can move between indoor and outdoor learning spaces each day, so outdoor play forms part of the learning pattern.

Raised planting beds and the willow structure give the garden specific uses for play. Woodland walks extend exploration beyond it. A weekly PE session takes place in the School Hall, adding another setting for movement. Nursery children also join school celebrations, perform for parents and visit Shiplake Church, making contact with the wider school part of their experience.

Every child’s learning and development are recorded, including achievements and next steps. Daily conversations with parents accompany this, giving families regular contact about their child’s learning rather than relying solely on occasional updates.

The team includes a nursery manager who also holds designated safeguarding responsibility, a deputy manager and a nursery assistant with qualified teacher status. Two toilets scaled for children support growing independence with everyday care. A cloakroom sits in the lobby, and the nursery has access to an equipped kitchen.

For children with additional needs, the school aims to support access to the early years curriculum and provide strategies suited to individual needs. That is an inclusion aim across the school, rather than a promise of a particular nursery intervention.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal admissions process. Oxfordshire Schools Admissions is the online route; for the September 2026 intake, the on-time deadline was 15 January 2026.

Preparation for the next stage is a separate matter. Nursery learning includes school-readiness activities, while shared celebrations and use of the School Hall give children experience of the school during their nursery years. These experiences should not be treated as an admissions advantage.

To arrange a nursery visit, contact the nursery manager on 0118 940 2024 or email littlesquirrels@shiplake.oxon.sch.uk. Little Squirrels is on the school site at Memorial Avenue, Shiplake, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 4DN. A visit offers families a chance to discuss their child’s needs and see the nursery’s indoor and outdoor spaces.