Little Dragons Nursery at Castle Hill Infant School

A nursery classroom with its own outdoor space gives Little Dragons its own identity within Castle Hill Infant School in Ipswich. Covered outdoor space and regular Little Forest School sessions are planned. This is provision for children aged 3 and 4, with entry from the term after a child's third birthday. The emphasis is on early communication, movement and relationships, with room for learning outdoors as well as inside.

The nursery is open, and its year follows the school's terms. For families, that combines a school setting with a choice between shorter sessions and longer days.

Playing and exploring shape the curriculum. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework, with particular attention to understanding and using language, physical development, and managing feelings and relationships. In parent terms, learning to listen, move confidently and play alongside others matters here. Staff plan experiences around each child's interests, needs and developmental stage.

Paddling for Phonics develops the listening skills that come before formal phonics teaching. It is the precursor to Fishing for Phonics, rather than a promise of early reading results. Regular cooking adds another practical activity, while snack time gives children opportunities to pour drinks and use cups themselves.

The nursery classroom has air conditioning and its own outdoor space. The nursery's facilities plans also include a fitted kitchen, an indoor soft play room and an enclosed outdoor area with a canopy. Bikes and scooters, a mud kitchen, planting and equipment for balancing and climbing feature in that design: different ways to explore movement and materials.

Regular Little Forest School sessions are planned. Planned access to wider school facilities includes the castle climbing frame, pond visits, the trampoline area and sensory room. These are planned opportunities across the week, rather than unrestricted access to every school space.

Toilet training is supported in nursery, with staff and parents agreeing how to meet the child's needs. Families provide wipes and spare clothing, and exchange updates with staff about progress at home and nursery. Clothing that children can manage themselves makes this routine easier.

Across early years, settling support includes picture timetables, structured routines and individual handovers where needed. Children who need more time can have an extended transition or flexible timetable. Daily contact with early years staff gives parents a regular opportunity to discuss how things are going.

Additional needs are addressed through Assess-Plan-Do-Review, a cycle that revisits support as staff learn more about the child. Parents should share existing professional involvement and concerns with nursery staff. Behaviour follows the school's restorative approach, using Ready, Respectful and Safe as its three rules and teaching children through adult modelling and relationships.

For a whole day, families choose a chargeable school lunch or packed lunch. Packed lunches must be nut free. Staff supervise classroom snacks; milk or water is offered, and allergies or intolerances should be discussed so snack arrangements can be adjusted.

Attending Little Dragons does not guarantee a Reception place. Nursery and Reception admissions are separate: families must apply again through the normal Reception process by the applicable deadline.

Transition support is a different matter. Within school, children needing additional help can spend extra time in their next classroom and with their next teacher. Staff share information about individual needs, and social stories can be used at home and school. These arrangements support familiarity; they do not secure admission.

Little Dragons operates for 38 weeks each year. Morning sessions run from 8:45am to 11:45am, afternoons from 12:15pm to 3:15pm, and the all-day pattern is 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. An up-to-10-hour option runs from 7:30am to 5:30pm or 8am to 6pm, for up to three days weekly within a 30-hour childcare allocation.

Castle Crew provides wraparound care from 7:30am until 6pm. This can be charged separately or use the 15/30-hour childcare allocation. Ask the school for current charges. Nursery enquiries and application forms go through office@castlehillprimary.org.uk. Famly is planned for nursery communication and booking.

Children wear a grey jumper or cardigan and white polo shirt, with comfortable bottoms they can pull up and down independently. Shoes should slip on or fasten with Velcro. Keep a spare outfit, labelled waterproof suit and wellies at nursery for changes and outdoor play.