Norton Hill Primary School Nursery

Curiosity Corner gives Norton Hill Primary School’s nursery its name; language gives its learning a clear direction. This is school-attached provision on Silver Street in Midsomer Norton, with nursery children aged two, three and four included in the wraparound arrangements. An EYFS lead has responsibility across Nursery and Reception, connecting the two stages through a shared leadership role.

At the Ofsted inspection on 11 and 12 July 2023, early years provision received an Outstanding judgement within the school inspection. The nursery curriculum’s foundations and emphasis on language were specific strengths. That matters for children beginning to build the vocabulary they will use in later learning.

Language is a clear focus of nursery learning, alongside skills that prepare children for Read Write Inc Phonics. Nursery children encounter preparatory skills for Read Write Inc Phonics, the programme used later in school. This makes the nursery work a preparation for the next stage, rather than a promise that younger children follow the full reading programme.

Personal and social learning also has a named framework. Across the school’s classes, Jigsaw connects learning about feelings, relationships and health. Healthy Me and Celebrating Differences are among its themes. For parents, these give concrete examples of the subjects through which children can explore themselves and other people. Language development and personal learning provide two useful strands to consider together.

Nursery staffing includes room leads and an inclusion lead, alongside nursery practitioners. Inclusion therefore has a nursery-specific role within the team. The wider school also has SENCo roles and an inclusion team, giving families distinct points of responsibility for discussing additional needs.

For children using extended care, food is part of the arrangement: Breakfast Club includes breakfast, while After School Club provides a light tea for those staying until 5.45pm. Families should tell the office about dietary requirements. This links the longer day to a meal routine as well as supervised care.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for school as separate decisions.

Preparation for learning is a different matter. The nursery introduces skills intended to help children begin Read Write Inc later, and the EYFS leadership role spans Nursery and Reception. These are connections in educational provision; they do not establish an admissions advantage.

Wraparound care explicitly includes nursery age groups. Breakfast Club starts at 7.30am. During term time, After School Club runs from 3.15pm to 5.45pm on Monday to Thursday and from 3.15pm to 4.30pm on Friday. The shorter Friday afternoon is a practical consideration for working families planning collection.

Bookings and advance payments for these clubs go through Arbor Parent Portal. Tax Free Childcare and employer childcare vouchers are accepted. Contact the school office on 01761 205630 or email office@nortonhillprimary.mnsp.org.uk for nursery enquiries and current charges.