Ipswich School Nursery: The Lodge

Water play, garden-grown snacks and softer spaces for calming down give The Lodge its own character within Ipswich School. This is childcare from babyhood onwards: the nursery caters for children aged three months to four years and operates at Ivry Lodge on Ivry Street, Ipswich.

The Lodge is separately registered early years provision belonging to the school. At its November 2025 inspection, it had 106 places. Its ISI inspection on 25 to 26 November 2025 judged welfare and wellbeing, and behaviour and routines, at the strong standard; inclusion, teaching, achievement and leadership were at the expected standard, with safeguarding met.

Learning takes familiar everyday activities seriously. Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the curriculum builds from each child's existing skills and interests, with parents helping staff understand their starting point. In practice, that means learning through doing: younger children pour coloured water between buckets, developing movement skills while learning colour names.

Snack time brings counting into the day. Younger children count the spoonfuls they take, while older children work on putting numbers one to five in order. Older children also collaborate over which tools will move water between troughs. These are concrete opportunities to practise number, language and cooperation together.

Indoors, some rooms have softer spaces where children can pause and manage their feelings. Outdoors, regular learning opportunities support strength and coordination. Fruit and vegetables grown in the garden become snacks and meal ingredients, connecting food choices with something children have helped experience.

Baby activities need greater consistency. In November 2025, some activities did not suit babies' developmental stages or extend their existing skills. Improving staff knowledge of early development was a recommended next step, alongside more precise identification of training needs. This matters most for families choosing care for the youngest children.

A key person gives children a familiar adult who understands their needs, including babies needing reassurance when tired or distressed. Settling is flexible and shaped around the child and family; staff preserve babies' routines from home to help make nursery feel secure. Hours can also be adjusted with parents to support confident separation.

Communication support is practical. Signing and picture cards help babies and children express what they need, and help children learning English understand what happens next. Staff track emerging needs and children's physical development, using focused support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Collaboration with professionals such as physiotherapists extends that support beyond the room.

Parents share information about children's interests, experiences and home life so staff can adapt care and teaching. Emotional support follows the same individual approach: staff work with families on strategies, and wait until children are calm before discussing how their behaviour affected someone else. Predictable routines help children anticipate the next part of the day.

Attending The Lodge does not guarantee a Reception place at Ipswich School. Families must apply separately for Reception through the Prep School's online registration process and meet the applicable admissions deadline. Registration is followed by contact from the admissions team; a place requires an offer and acceptance.

Readiness for school is a separate question. By November 2025, children sustained attention during activities, listened and communicated their ideas and needs clearly. Support with separation from parents also helped older children prepare for school. These developmental benefits should be considered separately from securing admission.

The nursery operates throughout the year, with opening hours of 7.30am to 6pm. Care options include part-time and full-time arrangements, alongside specific funded-only options. Term-time-only packages are offered for children whose siblings attend Ipswich Prep or Ipswich School, so that condition matters when choosing a booking pattern.

Charges depend on age, the care arrangement and additional services such as optional activities. Payment is monthly and made in advance. Request the current fee schedule from the school to compare the relevant options.

For nursery enquiries, the Admissions Team can be reached on 01473 408328 and provides guidance on visits, registration and fees. This gives families a single route for discussing the childcare package and arranging the next step.