Nursery at Lionwood Infant and Nursery School

Learning to say what you need, how you feel and what you think gives Lionwood's nursery its character. Communication runs through the curriculum, and in July 2025 staff were helping nursery children put their feelings and needs into words. That makes language a practical part of the day.

Children can join from age three. Cherry Class is the nursery provision within Lionwood Infant and Nursery School on Telegraph Lane East in Norwich. Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 15 and 16 July 2025; that judgement covers the early years together, rather than the nursery alone.

Play provides the route into learning. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together movement, language and relationships with early literacy, mathematics, creative work and exploring the world. Adults guide play and demonstrate expectations, helping children practise communicating and working alongside one another.

The Creative Learning Journey connects areas of learning. For parents, the useful distinction is that activities bring different skills together: children explore ideas through planned experiences, while adults support their play. Lionwood prioritises vocabulary and aims to help children explain feelings, express opinions and give reasons for their choices.

Outdoor learning has enclosed garden areas for the early years, alongside an enclosed inner courtyard with play equipment for younger children. These give exploration a physical setting beyond the classroom. In July 2025, early years staff adjusted activities as children's needs changed and supported their growing curiosity and independence. Reading was another early years strength, with children developing enthusiasm for books.

Helping a child communicate is also part of care. In July 2025, nursery staff supported children in expressing wishes and emotions, giving them ways to ask for help and make themselves understood. Early years adults also adapted learning to individual needs.

The school's inclusion team includes a SEND coordinator, a pastoral lead and a Parent Support Advisor. Families can contact that team through the school office, providing a route for discussing additional needs or family concerns. This team works within the wider school.

Lunch provision can be included or excluded from full and half days. That choice matters when matching attendance to a child's care arrangements.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place at Lionwood. Families must make a separate Reception application through Norfolk County Council, which handles school admissions. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for school as two distinct decisions.

Most nursery children move to Reception in the September following their fourth birthday. Familiarity with Lionwood does not remove the application step: the nursery place itself is not an assurance of a school place.

The nursery opens at 8:45am and closes at 3:15pm, with full days and half days offered. Morning sessions run from 8:45am to 11:45am; afternoons run from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. These are the nursery's own hours, so use them when planning collection and other childcare.

For nursery enquiries, telephone 01603 433957 or email officelians@istnorfolk.co.uk. The school office handles enquiries between 8:30am and 4:00pm and holds the nursery waiting list. Families can also arrange a school visit by telephone or email, giving them an opportunity to see Lionwood before deciding.