Iver Heath Infant School and Nursery: Nursery Review

Chicks, Ducklings and Goslings give this nursery its own identity: morning, afternoon and full-day groups within Iver Heath Infant School and Nursery. Its separate suite has an enclosed outdoor play space, giving children a base of their own within the school site.

The nursery has 30 places for children aged three and over. Most start in September following their third birthday; an earlier start from the following term depends on space. Provision combines 15-hour and 30-hour places, so families can choose between shorter sessions and a school-length day.

Play and teaching share the session. Continuous provision means children can return to activities and make choices, alongside teaching individually, in small groups and with the whole class. Topics respond to children's interests and development.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together early number and literacy work with physical development, communication, relationships, creativity and discovering the world. The school's Creative Curriculum connects learning through topics. Its Top Level Curriculum makes the nursery goals concrete: children practise waiting for a turn, choosing an activity and trying again after a setback. These are useful foundations for taking part in a group.

Books feature through adult sharing, predicting what might happen and retelling from pictures. Later nursery goals include noticing rhyme and practising spoken blending and segmenting. The curriculum also uses the Colour Monster to introduce feelings, linking stories with the language children need to explain their own emotions.

Outdoor learning is daily, with a weekly PE session in the school hall alongside it. Real PE focuses on movement skills such as balance and coordination. This gives physical development both an outdoor setting and a structured indoor session.

Ofsted's February 2023 inspection described reading enthusiasm beginning in Nursery and consistent phonics teaching across early years. A concern across the school was that some reading books did not fit children's existing sound knowledge, reducing their opportunities to practise; this is a useful point for parents to discuss when reading books come home.

A qualified senior teacher and qualified assistants staff the nursery. Before children start, the induction includes a parent meeting and a nursery visit in June, allowing families to meet the team and children to become familiar with their surroundings.

Milk and fruit are provided free during the session. Personal care is part of learning too: nursery goals begin with supported handwashing and toileting, then move towards children managing these tasks and asking for help. Independence is built gradually.

For special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), parents can raise concerns with the class teacher and the early years SEND coordinator. Individual provision maps set targets, with parents involved in termly reviews. Speech and language therapy and occupational therapy are among the services the school can access. Quiet areas and separate workstations can be arranged where needed, giving support a practical form within the learning environment.

A separate application. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place or confer priority under the October 2023 admission arrangements. Families must apply again through Buckinghamshire Council's online primary admissions route. The policy gives January as the first-round closing period, with the exact date set for each intake. Treat that application as a separate task.

Familiarity still has value. Continuous provision continues into Reception, with similar routines and layouts intended to ease the change. This supports transition; it does not alter the admission decision.

Sessions run Monday to Friday during term time. Chicks attend 8:30am to 11:30am, Ducklings 12 noon to 3pm, and Goslings 9am to 3pm. These are published weekly patterns of 15 or 30 hours.

The admission policy provides for funded 15-hour places from the term following a child's third birthday and 30-hour places subject to eligibility. Families requesting 30 hours who do not qualify can pay for the additional 15 hours. Contact the school for current charges.

Nursery applications go directly to the school using its application form. The office also arranges visits: telephone 01753 652262 or email office@iverheath-inf.bucks.sch.uk. An adult must bring and collect the child. Uniform is encouraged, with royal blue sweatshirts or cardigans among the school clothing choices.