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Nursery at Marston Moreteyne VC 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Finding their own name, choosing a place to play and finishing with stories or songs: Chimneytots gives its preschool day a recognisable rhythm. This is the school's own nursery provision, with play indoors and outside woven around activities led by adults. Children have repeated opportunities to choose what to do.
Since September 2026, the school has become Marston Moreteyne VC Primary School. Ofsted judged its early years provision Good at the inspection on 27 and 28 February 2024; children learned both independently and with others, and clear routines began in the early years.
Self-registration starts the session: children identify their names before choosing their play. A whole-group activity then explores a topic linked to their interests, followed by smaller activities with adults. Further periods of chosen play give children time to pursue those interests indoors or outside. The afternoon has a similar pattern, including group work, songs and snack time.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) covers learning from birth to age five. At Chimneytots, the practical detail includes maths, literacy, creative expression and discovering how the world works. Early phonics activities develop listening: children explore rhyme, notice differences between sounds and pick out sounds within words. This is preparation through sound awareness.
Small-group finger activities develop the fine movements needed for writing. Stories, rhymes and singing also have their place in the session, so language work extends beyond adult-led activities. Snacks fit within the periods of chosen play, with children sitting together at a table and receiving adult help when needed. Learning, social time and everyday routines share the session.
Chimneytots has senior lead practitioners, while the wider school team includes an Assistant Headteacher for Early Years and an Early Years Assistant SENDCo. SEND coordination includes identifying needs, planning provision, working with professional agencies and maintaining contact with parents. That gives families a route into discussing additional learning support.
Termly parent consultations include opportunities for key workers to explain how Early Years Pupil Premium supports eligible children. Families receiving a qualifying benefit should tell the school, as this can bring additional funding for their child's education.
Children attending all day or in an afternoon session can buy a school meal through Arbor. Dietary needs and allergies must be discussed with the team and office beforehand so that the caterer can agree a suitable menu. Children eat lunch together in Chimneytots.
Consistency across sites. In February 2024, school-wide improvement needs concerned uneven teaching and checks on understanding in some subjects, alongside differences in how policies and procedures operated between sites. These were wider-school concerns, rather than findings specifically about Chimneytots.
Attending Chimneytots does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate school application through the normal admissions route. Central Bedfordshire residents apply through the council; families living elsewhere apply through their home local authority.
For the September 2026 intake, applications after 15 January 2026 were treated as late. That deadline belongs to a past admissions cycle.
Transition support is a separate matter. Before the autumn start, the school works with parents and preschools to support the move into Reception. This preparation does not replace the application process.
From September 2026, Chimneytots accepts the universal 15 funded hours and the additional 15 funded hours for working parents. Children can attend for up to 30 hours each week during term time, with the full-time pattern running from 9:00 to 15:15, Monday to Friday. Morning and afternoon sessions are also offered.
Sessions beyond a child's funded allocation are charged, with invoices issued monthly. School meals are purchased separately. Contact the school for current charges, and email chimneytotsadmin@marstonmoreteyneschool.org for session enquiries or advice. The same address, or 01234 768271, can be used to join the waiting list.
Withdrawal notice. Leaving preschool requires half a term's notice. Build that into plans when changing childcare arrangements.
No. Families need to make a separate Reception application through the normal local authority route.
Children identify their names, choose play indoors or outside, join activities with adults, have a snack and enjoy stories or singing.
Yes. The full-time pattern is 9:00 to 15:15, Monday to Friday during term time, with attendance of up to 30 hours per week.
Children attending all day or in an afternoon session can purchase a school meal through Arbor. Dietary requirements and allergies need agreement with the team, office and caterer in advance.
Email chimneytotsadmin@marstonmoreteyneschool.org. To join the waiting list, use that address or call 01234 768271.
