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Nursery at Gresham Village School and Nursery
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A small school wood gives Gresham’s nursery its distinctive thread: Forest School is part of nursery life, alongside daily outdoor learning. This is school-based provision for children from their third birthday, with full days and shorter sessions. For a child who enjoys exploring outdoors, that emphasis matters.
The nursery sits on the school site on Cromer Road in Gresham. Its approach starts with children’s interests and individual needs, rather than treating the group as having identical starting points. An Early Years Lead and an Early Years Teacher form part of the team, linking the nursery’s planning to the school’s early education provision.
Children’s interests help shape the learning. The Early Years Framework provides the foundation, while the nursery plans around what each child needs and wants to explore. In parent terms, the emphasis is on learning through play and investigation, with adults providing challenges and support. Children can lead a task, try an approach and change it when something does not work.
Indoor and outdoor spaces both support this exploration. Outdoors has a defined place in the timetable: nursery children take part in Forest School in the school woods, with trained staff leading the sessions. Daily outdoor provision adds further opportunities to investigate their surroundings. The wood is a concrete feature of the learning environment, rather than outdoor learning being only an aspiration.
Early reading begins with stories, words displayed around the nursery and learning how separate sounds combine into words. This gives children several ways to encounter language before formal schooling. In February 2022, Ofsted identified adult interaction and vocabulary development as early-years teaching priorities, but also found that some curriculum content and vocabulary needed clearer definition. That is a relevant qualification for parents weighing the nursery’s child-led approach against the precision of its learning plans.
Reassurance is part of the early-years approach. Adults support children as they learn to handle disagreements, and children can turn to them for comfort or guidance. The nursery aims to give children enough security to attempt unfamiliar things and accept mistakes as part of learning.
The Early Years Lead also holds inclusion, mental health and safeguarding responsibilities. For families with additional needs, the school’s SEND coordinator can be contacted through the office. Across the school, progress meetings and intervention planning help staff review children’s learning and plan support. These give parents a route into discussion about their child’s needs. Families with a safeguarding concern about a child or adult can speak to a Designated Safeguarding Lead in person or telephone the school on 01263 577349.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the Local Authority, while nursery applications go directly to the school. Treat these as two distinct decisions: choosing the nursery does not complete the application for the next stage.
The nursery’s focus on independence, exploration and seeking help from adults concerns preparation for learning. It should be understood separately from the allocation of a school place.
Full days run from 8.45am to 3.05pm, Monday to Friday. Half days run from 8.45am to 11.45am or from 12.05pm to 3.05pm. Nursery children can also attend Breakfast Club from 7.50am and stay for after-school care until 5.00pm, except on Fridays when it ends at 4.30pm.
The 15-hour funded provision begins in the term following a child’s third birthday; sessions before that point are charged. The nursery also accepts 30-hour provision from the third birthday and offers additional sessions beyond 15 hours. Current charges are obtained from the school.
Contact the school directly to apply or arrange a visit. Uniform starts at Reception, although nursery children may choose a school jumper. A waterproof coat is required each day, and clothing should be labelled: useful practical preparation for the outdoor emphasis.
Children can begin from their third birthday. Sessions before the following term are charged because the 15-hour funding starts in that later term.
Full days are 8.45am to 3.05pm, Monday to Friday. Half days are 8.45am to 11.45am or 12.05pm to 3.05pm.
Yes. Nursery children have regular Forest School sessions in the school woods, led by trained staff, alongside daily outdoor provision.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the Local Authority. Nursery applications are made directly to the school.
Contact the school directly so that a visit appointment can be arranged.
