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Nursery at Claires Court Schools
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Forest School, number games and specialist movement lessons give Claires Court’s nursery a distinct school-day character. Boys and girls aged two to four learn within the school’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), with separate arrangements for two-year-olds and older nursery children.
September 2026 brought a change of base. The nursery moved to the Juniors site at Ridgeway, The Thicket, in Maidenhead, where the grounds include green space used for play and Forest School. Nursery and Juniors also gained a shared principal role from September 2026. For families, the nursery’s location now matters more than the school’s College Avenue address.
Learning combines early language and number work with physical activity and outdoor exploration. The nursery’s 2025-26 programme included phonics, specialist PE, yoga and dance, alongside Forest School at the Juniors site. These are different ways for young children to practise listening, movement and learning through activity.
The Claires Court Essentials provide the named learning philosophy from nursery onwards, emphasising skills such as reflection, communication and solving problems. EYFS learning here has practical examples: in September and October 2025, early-years children explored counting through games, talked about story characters and connected stories with their own experiences. A pretend shop gave them opportunities to count and use money. Learning had a purpose children could recognise.
The ISI inspection of 30 September to 2 October 2025 found that early-years staff adapted activities to individual children and that children progressed quickly towards their learning goals. Its examples cover the wider early-years provision, rather than nursery alone. Ball games, swimming, dance and outdoor play supported physical development; discussions about festivals and family life introduced different cultures and beliefs.
Emotional support was tangible in the early years in autumn 2025. A classroom area called the cosy cove gave children somewhere to talk with adults about their feelings. Taking turns, sharing playthings and helping another child get ready for outdoor activity made social learning part of ordinary routines.
Early-years leadership and staff development were also strengths in the September and October 2025 findings: training was supported by regular reviews of staff practice. For children needing adjustments, the registration process asks families to share medical conditions, allergies, disabilities and learning needs, with supporting documents, so that arrangements can be considered before entry.
Food depends on the session booked. Under the 2025-26 nursery arrangements, full days included a hot lunch. Separately booked extended care included breakfast and hot tea, giving longer days their own meal pattern.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Treat Reception entry as a separate admissions decision: Claires Court’s EYFS admissions process involves the Head meeting the child and family before an offer, rather than a formal interview.
The 2025-26 nursery arrangements expected children in the older rooms to move to Reception in the autumn following their fourth birthday. That planned progression should be read alongside the school’s entry conditions: offers depend on space and the admission requirements applying when an offer is made.
The 2025-26 booking model required two-year-olds to attend at least two days each week. Older children booked five mornings or five full days, choosing school terms or a 48-week pattern. Morning sessions ran from 08:30 to 12:00; full days ended at 15:30 after the same start time. Separately booked care extended the day from 07:30 to 18:00, finishing at 17:30 on Fridays.
For qualifying three- and four-year-olds, those arrangements allocated three funded hours within each morning, up to 15 weekly; eligible families could use another provider for additional hours up to a combined 30. The nursery did not participate in the two-year-old funded scheme under those arrangements. Charges covered hours beyond the funded allocation. Contact the school for current charges.
A burgundy nursery sweatshirt, navy polo and navy bottoms formed the uniform, with Goyals in Maidenhead the supplier. Admissions enquiries and personal-tour bookings go through 01628 327710; the online enquiry form also offers a Nursery Office option.
The nursery caters for boys and girls aged two to four, with separate arrangements for two-year-olds and three- to four-year-olds.
The 2026-27 school guides place Nursery and Juniors at Ridgeway, The Thicket, Maidenhead, SL6 3QE, following the nursery’s September 2026 move.
The 2025-26 arrangements offered five mornings each week for the three- to four-year-old setting, from 08:30 to 12:00. They also offered limited afternoon-only places during term time, subject to availability and a waiting list; these were unavailable to children attending mornings.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. The school’s EYFS admissions process includes a meeting with the Head before an offer, and offers depend on availability and the applicable admission requirements.
Call admissions on 01628 327710 to arrange a personal tour. Individual family tours and Open Events are available through the school.
