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Nursery at Orwell Park School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Weekly Forest School and daily phonics give Orwell Park’s nursery two distinct rhythms: exploring the woodland and building early reading skills. This is the school’s own nursery within Pre-Prep, with Nursery 1 and Nursery 2 providing its class structure.
At the November 2025 inspection, the wider early-years provision catered for children aged two and a half to five and included two nursery classes. The nursery uses the Pre-Prep building, with outdoor classrooms adding another place to learn. Its character combines purposeful play with an explicit early academic focus.
Play gives children room to choose what interests them. They can work indoors or outside, use the floor for activities, join a group or spend time working individually. That choice matters: participation need not mean doing the same thing in the same way as everyone else.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings language, physical development and social learning together. In November 2025, ISI found that the early-years curriculum met EYFS requirements and helped children approach their next educational stage. Adults developed vocabulary through conversation, while practical activities encouraged children to manage more for themselves.
Daily numeracy sits alongside phonics. French, PE and Music bring specialist teaching into the nursery experience; ballet carries an additional charge. Weekly Forest School takes learning into a dedicated woodland area, while gardens and play areas give children further outdoor space. These are concrete changes of setting and activity within the week.
Physical learning starts early. Nursery PE includes activities involving co-ordination, awareness of space and working together. Across early years in November 2025, children also used wheeled equipment and large mark-making tools to develop strength and control. Independence has small, practical expressions too: fetching equipment and helping another child with outdoor clothing.
Each child has a Key Person who provides the main link between home and nursery. The school aims for this relationship to give children security and help staff understand their individual needs. Stay and Play offers another introduction to nursery life, with music, crafts and Forest School once each half term, from 9.30am to 10.45am.
Daily snacks are included. Freshly prepared lunch is available at an additional charge for nursery children, and specific dietary requirements are catered for. Families supply dietary and medical information during onboarding, making those needs part of preparation for joining.
Early-years parents receive continuing progress updates through an online platform. In November 2025, early-years staff worked with the NHS on support for emerging needs, used visual prompts to help children understand feelings, and maintained daily safety checks. Staff also kept injury and medication records and informed parents when appropriate. These arrangements connect learning support with everyday care.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Ask the Admissions Team to confirm the arrangements for moving from nursery to Reception, including any application requirements and deadlines. Preparation for learning and entitlement to a place are separate matters.
Daily phonics and numeracy provide continuity in learning. The nursery’s play-based approach also gives children practice in independence and getting along with others. Those experiences support the next step; they do not secure admission.
The 2025 session pattern separated the morning, 8.30am to 11.30am, from the afternoon, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, with lunch between 11.30am and 12.30pm. Early drop-off runs from 8am to 8.30am. Nursery children aged three and above can stay until 5pm, booked termly through the EYFS Lead.
Eligible families can use 15 funded hours from the term following their child’s third birthday. Snacks and curriculum materials are included in core fees; nursery lunch and ballet cost extra. Contact the school for current charges.
For enquiries or a visit, email admissions@orwellpark.org or call 01473 653224. Allow an hour and a half for a school tour. Nursery uniform guidance is provided separately, so it can form part of preparations before joining.
Children learn through play alongside daily phonics and numeracy. Specialist subjects include Music, French and PE, with weekly Forest School in a dedicated woodland area. Ballet has an additional charge.
Each nursery child has a Key Person who acts as the main contact between nursery and home. Early-years parents also receive online progress updates.
Daily snacks are included in core fees. Nursery lunch is freshly prepared and carries an additional charge. Specific dietary requirements are catered for.
Children aged three and above can stay until 5pm. This arrangement is booked termly through the EYFS Lead.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Ask the Admissions Team to confirm any application requirements and deadlines for moving to Reception.
