Heath Mount School Nursery Review

The Blueberry room, a garden playground and the Three Bears forest school area give Heath Mount’s youngest children distinct spaces for play and discovery. This is the school’s nursery provision for ages 2 to 4, within Woodhall Park at Watton-at-Stone. Pre-Nursery children belong to blue group and have their own classroom, while also using the wider Nursery block. That gives them a base of their own alongside opportunities to explore beyond it.

Play and planned activities sit alongside each other in the Pre-Nursery programme. The Early Years Foundation Stage takes practical shape through language, movement and learning to cooperate: children develop skills through things they do, rather than through instruction alone. Forest School and specialist music teaching begin with the youngest children, bringing woodland exploration and music into the curriculum.

Outdoor learning has substance here. In February 2025, early years children developed physical skills through cycling, digging, climbing and stepping activities. Indoors, staff used calm classrooms, familiar routines and music to help children feel secure. Even choosing between a carpet space and a chair gave children practice in making decisions for themselves.

Teaching also connects conversation with early literacy. In February 2025, children were absorbed in their activities, responded positively to individual guidance and communicated successfully with adults and other children. Staff demonstrated language and reinforced connections between sounds and letters across the day. Counting coins and pretend shopping made early mathematical ideas practical, while organised activities involving listening, sharing and waiting for a turn helped nursery and pre-prep children learn to work together.

A picnic for new families takes place shortly before the September term begins. It offers a shared introduction before the nursery routine starts, with parents involved from the outset.

Support for additional needs includes screening every child in the Early Years Foundation Stage for speech and language difficulties. The Learning Support Department comprises a Special Educational Needs Coordinator and two specialist Learning Support Assistants. Depending on need, support can involve classroom help, targeted intervention or small groups, with occasional individual sessions. Staff work with parents and teachers, and involve speech and language therapists, occupational therapists or educational psychologists when needed.

Care arrangements have specific inspection backing. In February 2025, early years supervision maintained appropriate staffing ratios, and staff working with this age group received paediatric first aid training. These are practical safeguards for young children’s daily care.

Holroyd Howe provides the school’s catering, using fresh food and seasonal ingredients. The later nursery crèche session includes a light snack, so children staying beyond the nursery day have something to eat during that extension.

Attending Heath Mount’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Confirm Reception application arrangements with the Registrar.

Preparation for the next stage is a separate matter. New pupils joining Reception or above are invited to a Moving Up morning in June, when they meet their classmates and next form teacher. This helps children meet their new teachers and classmates; it should not be treated as an admissions entitlement.

Nursery attendance starts with a minimum of 5 sessions each week, including 3 mornings. A session means a morning or afternoon half-day; the booking options cover 5 or 10 sessions. Pre-Nursery attendance can be adjusted to the individual child. Additional sessions carry charges, and ad hoc sessions depend on availability.

Two charged nursery crèche periods run from 16:00 to 16:45 and from 16:45 to 17:30. Ask the school for current charges when comparing attendance patterns.

Funding. Heath Mount does not offer the 15 or 30 free childcare hours for children aged 3 and 4. Eligible nursery payments can use childcare vouchers or tax-free childcare from age three, including children turning three before the term ends, through the term of their fifth birthday. Families should distinguish these payment arrangements from funded hours.

Enquiries go to registrar@heathmount.org or 01920 832916. Personal tours can be arranged through the enquiry form, by telephone or by email; they usually take place in the morning and last about 90 minutes.