Owlets Nursery at Burstow Primary School

Indoor exploration, outdoor learning and a teacher-led team give Owlets its shape. This is Burstow Primary School’s nursery in Smallfield, with children joining from the term following their third birthday. Its emphasis is on children investigating, asking questions and becoming active learners, with families involved in supporting their development.

Funded attendance follows either a 15-hour or a 30-hour weekly pattern. The shorter option groups attendance into two full days and a Wednesday half-day; the longer one covers Monday to Friday. That distinction matters for family routines: choosing Owlets also means choosing a particular shape of week.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guides learning here. Owlets emphasises each child’s individual development and active involvement in learning. In practical terms, its stated approach encourages children to explore and question, rather than simply receive information. Indoor and outdoor learning environments both form part of that approach, giving investigation a place on either side of the classroom door.

Lunch brings another kind of learning. Nursery children have a designated sitting alongside Reception, separate from the later year-group sittings. A teacher or learning support assistant accompanies children to the hall, where collecting food from the serving counter involves making choices and talking to staff. Everyday routines therefore offer opportunities to practise communication and independence as well as eat.

A qualified teacher leads the nursery team, and Owlets aims to work with families on each child’s development. A stay-and-play event for parents and children took place on 8 September 2026, from 2pm to 3pm. The session was for children and parents together.

Meals are prepared at school. For children with allergies, intolerances, religious dietary requirements or medical diets, tailored meals can be arranged through a form obtained from the office. Personal food preferences and dislikes are excluded from that arrangement. This makes the distinction between a dietary need and a preferred menu clear.

For additional needs, the school’s SENCo coordinates specialists and classroom assistants who advise teaching staff. Parents can arrange a conversation or appointment, and the SENCo contacts families about concerns or possible new strategies. The contact is senco@burstow.surrey.sch.uk, giving families a direct route to discuss support.

Attending Owlets does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate school application through Surrey County Council’s admissions route. Nursery attendance is not one of Burstow’s oversubscription priorities, so choosing Owlets should be a decision about the nursery experience rather than an expectation of admission later.

Transition arrangements are separate from allocation. Children starting school and their parents are invited for an afternoon visit in the preceding term, and families can have a home visit from a Reception teacher. These are opportunities to become familiar with people and routines; they do not confer an admissions advantage.

The 15-hour choices run Monday and Tuesday, 9am to 3pm, plus Wednesday, 9am to noon; or Wednesday, noon to 3pm, plus Thursday and Friday, 9am to 3pm. Funding is delivered over 38 weeks. Eligible working parents can use the 30-hour pattern, Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm, after obtaining an eligibility code through Childcare Choices and returning the eligibility form to the school office.

Breakfast Club starts at 7:30am, and After School Club extends care to 6pm. For a nursery visit, contact the main office on 01342 842010. Owlets is on Wheelers Lane, Smallfield, Horley, RH6 9PT. School uniform is optional for nursery children; a Nursery Hoodie can be bought from Your Image.