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Nursery at Cedars Primary 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Play and carefully built vocabulary give Cedars’ nursery its character: exploring leaves, textures and colour becomes a starting point for understanding seasons and mixing colours. This is the school’s own nursery on Bury Street in Newport Pagnell, with entry from age three under its term-based starting rule.
The Ofsted document dated 9 June 2026 judged early years to be Strong standard. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning to communicate, developing movement and managing feelings alongside early literacy, mathematics, creativity and exploring the world. Play connects these areas. Children can choose activities with adult guidance, while staff observe both independently chosen play and activities they lead to plan the next steps in learning.
Daily teaching includes mathematics, writing, reading and phonics. Cornerstones is used in early years to support understanding of the world. The curriculum builds knowledge in manageable stages: learning words for leaves and their textures, for example, gives children language they can later use to discuss seasonal changes. Indoor learning and outdoor activities both serve those planned steps. Exploration has a purpose.
Adults demonstrate language, explain their thinking and use questions to extend children’s communication. Progress checks reach down to specific skills such as holding a pencil, helping staff target support to each child’s starting point. There are also occasional experiences beyond the usual activities: on 10 February 2026, nursery children took part in a Silver Street Ballet workshop, practising toe pointing, first position and pliés while following a story and music.
A nursery leader sits within the school’s teaching structure. In early years, staff recognise special educational needs and disabilities promptly and arrange support. Parents can raise developmental concerns with their child’s teacher; the SENDCo coordinates provision, with external professionals involved where needed. This gives families a route from an initial concern to planned help.
Physical access includes a lift at the school’s front entrance and two accessible toilets with space for changing. These are school facilities, rather than rooms described as belonging solely to the nursery.
For children receiving SEND support, parents receive progress updates each term through meetings, email or an updated Targets & One Page Profile (TOPP). Food also has a practical cost implication: the school’s 2022-2023 charging policy lists nursery meals among charged activities and permits charges for consumables such as cooking ingredients and craft materials. Families should obtain current charges from the school.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no priority under Cedars’ admission arrangements. Families must make a separate application to Milton Keynes Council through the normal school admissions process, meeting the deadline for their child’s entry year. Online applications are preferred. Treat this as a separate decision and application, even if your child already attends nursery.
Transition support is a different matter. For pupils with SEND, arrangements include meeting the next teacher, repeated classroom visits towards the end of summer term and a handover involving the teachers and SENDCo. Parents are informed about relevant adjustments. These practices support familiarity; they do not alter admissions priority.
Session times. The application form lists weekday mornings from 08:45 to 11:45, afternoons from 11:45 to 14:45 and full days from 08:45 to 14:45. An End of Day option runs from 14:25 to 15:15. The timetable page instead gives nursery hours of 09:00 to 12:00, 12:00 to 15:00 and 09:00 to 15:00 for its 30 Hour Offer. Confirm the agreed hours before organising collection.
Funding for three- and four-year-olds starts in the term after the third birthday. The nursery offers the universal 15-hour pattern and an extended 30-hour pattern for eligible children; additional hours are charged. Contracted sessions determine billing, which is monthly in advance. Under the 2026/2027 terms, sickness and holidays during term time do not remove those charges, and reducing additional paid sessions requires four weeks’ written notice.
Register through the online nursery application form. Session changes depend on space and should go to the school office in writing or by email. Contact office@cedars.milton-keynes.sch.uk or 01908 610561. Uniform is encouraged: a royal blue logo sweatshirt or cardigan, a white or yellow polo shirt and grey trousers, skirt or shorts.
Your child must be three in the term before starting. Applications are made through the online nursery registration form, and places depend on availability.
Play supports communication, physical development, relationships and feelings alongside literacy, mathematics, creativity and understanding the world. Reading, writing, phonics and mathematics are taught daily.
No. Nursery attendance neither guarantees a place nor gives admissions priority. Apply separately to Milton Keynes Council by the deadline for your child’s entry year.
Yes. Funding begins in the term after the third birthday. The application form includes universal 15-hour and extended 30-hour options, with eligibility determining the extended entitlement. Extra hours are charged.
Speak to your child’s teacher first. The SENDCo coordinates additional support and can involve outside professionals where needed; families receiving SEND support have termly progress updates.
