The Mary Bassett Lower School Nursery Review

Acorns and Oak give this nursery two distinct spaces within the school: Acorns caters for children aged two and three, while Oak takes three- and four-year-olds. Play shapes the provision for children aged two to four at The Mary Bassett Lower School in Leighton Buzzard. The age grouping gives families a clear picture of where their child will start.

At the Ofsted inspection on 22 and 23 May 2024, the school's early years provision was graded Outstanding. That judgement covers the school's early years provision, rather than being a separate nursery rating. Activities were carefully matched to children's existing skills and knowledge, and familiar routines helped children become more confident and independent.

Shared books give the day a recurring focus. Staff select texts linked to the current theme and use them in a daily group discussion with the nursery children. Six themes organise the year, including How we express ourselves, Sharing the planet and Who we are. These connect play with questions about children themselves and the world around them.

Activities within the ongoing play provision respond to children's interests, their next learning steps and changes in the seasons. This gives the early years foundation stage (EYFS) a practical shape: staff build learning from what children can already do. Acorns and Oak provide the two nursery spaces; the wider school site also supports outdoor learning across every year group.

Monster Phonics introduces early sound work. Children due to start Reception the following September have a daily, play-based phonics session beginning in the latter half of the autumn term. Listening to environmental and instrumental sounds, exploring body percussion, and playing with rhyme develop attention to sound. Work on voice sounds and combining or separating spoken sounds prepares children for later phonics learning.

The Mary Bassett Way also starts in Nursery, using Skills Builder to teach and practise skills each week. Parents can access the programme themselves, giving them a way to connect learning at home with the school's approach.

A nursery teacher, deputy management roles and support staff for Acorns and Oak make up the team, alongside a nursery special needs co-ordinator. For concerns about additional needs, the class teacher is the first contact. The school's Initial Cause for Concern process provides short-term early support outside the formal SEND register, so intervention can begin before a child joins that register. Families can also approach the pastoral team through the office for support or signposting.

Food arrangements depend on the hours attended. Cereal breakfast is served from 8am to 8.30am. Lunchtime falls within the afternoon session, with a packed lunch or an ordered hot meal as options. Nursery hot lunches must be booked through ParentPay before 8am that day. Between 4pm and 6pm, children receive fruit or vegetables; families are encouraged to send additional lunchbox food for this period. Packed lunches should avoid egg and products containing nuts because of severe allergies within the school.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process, managed by Central Bedfordshire Council. Treat the nursery choice and the later school application as separate decisions.

Preparation for that next stage happens through learning: the daily sound sessions for children approaching Reception build listening and early phonics skills. This educational preparation is separate from the allocation of school places.

The nursery operates Monday to Friday, from 8am until 6pm. Register interest using the Nursery Waiting List Form. Nursery visits can be arranged with the nursery teacher through the school office at office@marybassett.co.uk or 01525 373017.

The nursery's funding model describes 15 hours a week across 38 term-time weeks, starting in the term after a child's third birthday. It also describes eligibility-based funding for two-year-olds and a conditional 30-hour option. Nursery charges are paid through Arbor; contact the school for current charges. Uniform is required for nursery children, with branded items supplied by Wear2School in Leighton Buzzard.