Thomas Eaton Primary Academy Nursery Review

Repeated play, familiar routines and a child's own interests shape Thomas Eaton Pre-School. This is the nursery attached to Thomas Eaton Primary Academy in Wimblington, welcoming children from age two during term time. Its preschool class is Storey Class. There are entry points in September, January and April, giving families more than one starting point during the year.

The nursery aims to build independence and confidence before children tackle further learning. That emphasis has a practical expression: the first half term focuses on getting used to routines, forming friendships and exploring activities. At the October 2023 Ofsted inspection, the school's early years provision was graded Good. This is an early years judgement within the school inspection, rather than a separate nursery rating.

Play combines children's independent exploration with adult support, indoors and outside. Staff watch how children engage with activities and use those observations to decide what to introduce next. Repetition is deliberate: the nursery aims to help children revisit familiar experiences and build their recall, rather than continually move them on to something new.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) gives that play a learning structure. Physical development, communication and managing feelings sit alongside early mathematics, literacy, creative expression and understanding the world. For parents, this means learning includes how children talk, move and cooperate, as well as their developing interest in numbers and words.

Development Matters helps staff consider each child's development, while the Characteristics of Effective Learning draw attention to motivation, concentration and connecting ideas. A class floor book, photographs and display boards capture learning; observations cover both independent play and activities supported by adults. These records help staff plan a child's next steps. In October 2023, early years children shared resources and cooperated in play spontaneously, giving a concrete example of those social skills in action.

Home visits give parents time to discuss their child's needs and experiences with staff. Regular conversations cover wellbeing and changes in behaviour, while Class Dojo lets families share achievements from home. Together, these provide ways for home experiences to inform the nursery's planning, rather than treating development as something that happens only in a session.

The team includes a preschool leader and a teaching assistant, with paediatric first aid training. For children attending a full day, an optional school-cooked dinner carries an additional charge. Families can choose that meal arrangement when planning longer sessions.

For special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the school SENDCo can be contacted at SENDCO@thomaseaton.cambs.sch.uk. Support planning. In October 2023, a school-wide improvement requirement concerned teacher training and plans that addressed individual learning barriers too broadly. Families discussing additional needs should focus on the specific adjustments their child requires. A further school-wide concern involved inconsistent attention routines and staff responses when pupils lost focus; neither finding was identified as nursery-specific.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Cambridgeshire Local Authority using its online application route. Parents without internet access can request a paper form from Cambridgeshire Admissions Team. The September 2026 entry cycle had a closing date of 15 January 2026; that deadline has passed.

The nursery aims for children to finish the summer term happy, confident and ready for Reception, with developmentally appropriate progress. That preparation is a learning aim, separate from the allocation of school places.

General morning sessions run from 8:45 to 11:45, afternoons from 12:15 to 15:15, and full days from 8:45 to 15:15. Non-funded morning sessions have an 11:15 finish under the arrangement introduced from September 2024. Confirm the applicable morning finish time with the school. Two-year-olds currently attend mornings only. Session availability. Sessions depend on sufficient demand and can change between terms, so families need an agreed pattern before arranging childcare around it.

Funded places for eligible two-year-olds are accepted. Three- and four-year-olds can access 15 funded hours weekly over 38 weeks; eligible working families can access 30 weekly hours over 38 weeks. For eligible working-family funding, the school checks the eligibility code and families must reconfirm eligibility every three months. Non-funded sessions are charged; contact the school for current charges.

Call 01354 740392 to arrange a visit or stay and play, or contact the office for a waiting-list place and admission form. There is no onsite parking; visitors may use the Village Hall facilities.