Edith Cavell Academy and Nursery: Hedgehog Nursery

Stories and Forest School give Hedgehog Nursery its character: language development alongside play in a natural setting. There are 16 sessional places at Edith Cavell Academy and Nursery on Duckett Close in Norwich. Children can start in the term following their third birthday, with a choice of 15 or 30 hour places.

This is the school's own nursery, forming part of its Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The nursery aims to develop children's language before they begin school, using stories to give their learning a focus. For parents, that makes conversation and shared reading central features of the offer.

Story-led learning gives children a starting point for talking, listening and exploring ideas together. The EYFS curriculum draws on 2021 Development Matters, with planned early experiences intended to build children's skills. In practical terms here, the emphasis falls on language, play and learning together, rather than treating preparation for school as an isolated task.

Bug Club Phonics provides the school's phonics framework, and phonics begins in nursery. In February 2023, Ofsted identified a positive beginning to reading in the early years: nursery children practised attentive listening through rhymes, songs and environmental sounds. These activities give listening a clear purpose. The same inspection called for more consistent implementation of the reading programme because some younger pupils struggled to transfer phonics into independent writing; that concern concerned younger pupils across the school, rather than an explicit nursery-only finding.

Forest School starts in nursery as a continuing programme of exploration, play and supported risk-taking. Two Forest School Leaders work at the school. The nursery uses the forest setting for children to learn together, while the school grounds also contain woodland, a wildlife area, an enclosed pond and an allotment. Those physical spaces give the outdoor approach a concrete setting. The nursery aims for these experiences to encourage independence and confidence.

Speech and language support has a defined team structure. Two staff members hold Level 3 Communication Champions qualifications, including a nursery practitioner. A speech and language therapist works in school on alternate Wednesdays, supporting staff and children through training, interventions and individual targets. This connects the nursery's language emphasis with specialist support.

For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the school uses regular monitoring and discussions involving parents, teachers and the SEND coordinator to identify needs early. Parents can raise concerns with the class teacher or SENCO. ClassDojo provides direct messaging and class updates for families; sensitive matters and absence reports should use other contact routes.

School meals are prepared on site by Aspens, with baked potatoes, packed lunches and hot dishes among the choices. Lunch payments are made in advance through the office. Contact the school for current charges.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Norfolk's normal admissions route by the applicable deadline.

Attendance at this nursery is a Reception admissions criterion, giving priority within the school's oversubscription rules. It remains conditional on how those rules allocate available places. Once a place has been offered, the school contacts families about transition arrangements. That preparation is separate from the allocation decision.

The 15 hour pattern runs from 08:40 to 11:40; the 30 hour pattern runs from 08:40 to 15:10. These give families a morning option and a longer day with different collection times.

Waiting list. The nursery often has one, so request an application form from the office well before the intended start. Visitors are welcome. For nursery enquiries, telephone 01603 621927 or email office@edithcavellacademy.co.uk.