Bluebell Nursery at Langley Preparatory School At Taverham Hall

Treasure maps, trikes and den building give the early years at Taverham a practical character. Bluebell Nursery takes children from 6 months to 4 years and shares Taverham Park with Langley’s Pre-Prep and Prep School. The campus includes woodland and a neo-Jacobean Hall, giving this school nursery a distinctive physical setting.

Age matters when weighing the inspection findings. ISI’s visit on 8 to 10 May 2024 covered early years children aged two and above; the under-two provision was outside that report’s scope. Its finding of good progress in early years therefore needs that boundary kept clear.

Communication, movement and personal development shape the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) learning here, with activities also responding to children’s interests. That means learning through things children can do and discuss, rather than simply completing tasks. In May 2024, early years children used new words confidently and listened attentively to adults.

Storytelling has a practical role. Children retold stories with expressive voices and accompanying movements, drawing on an adult’s example. Another activity involved drawing a treasure map and inviting friends to search, using words that explained where to go. These examples connect early drawing and writing with conversation and cooperation: marks on paper have a purpose, and other children become part of the game.

Outdoor activity adds a physical dimension. Early years children rode trikes and constructed dens, combining movement with imaginative play. Regular swimming also supported their physical development. Taverham’s wider school facilities include an indoor pool and a timber-framed woodland classroom; these are campus features, while the early years activities show how movement and exploration enter children’s learning.

Consideration for others starts with small routines. In May 2024, early years children lowered their voices around sleeping children while sharing a story. Superhero puppets helped explain independence, resilience and taking part. This gives abstract social skills a form young children can recognise and practise.

Food provision includes snacks, a hot lunch prepared fresh and a light tea. Meals carry an additional charge outside funded childcare hours, so families should include them when considering the nursery day and ask the school for current charges. Nappies and wipes also sit outside funding.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Discuss Reception admission with the school; its Taverham Pre-Prep and Prep application route is online. Nursery and Reception have distinct application routes; familiarity with the campus should not be treated as an admissions entitlement.

Applications are accepted throughout the year, with families encouraged to apply early. This is a practical reason to plan the next stage separately from booking nursery care.

The full nursery day runs from 08:30 to 17:30. Separately charged early drop-off runs from 08:00 to 08:30, and late stay from 17:30 to 18:00. Those extensions can widen the usable day for working families.

Bluebell operates for 48 weeks each year and can stretch funded hours across that period. Eligible families can claim 15 or 30 hours from 9 months of age, subject to annual limits of 570 or 1,140 hours respectively. For families with children in Reception or above, a term-time nursery option is available.

Enquiries go to bluebelladmissions@langleyschool.co.uk or 01603 868206, extension 5. A private tour of Bluebell Nursery at Taverham can be booked, giving families a direct way to see the setting before applying.