Nightingale Infant & Nursery School: Nursery Review

Hatchlings and Fledglings give Nightingale’s nursery two distinct stages: a start for children aged 2–3, followed by a class for those approaching their Reception year. This is Nuthatch Nursery, the provision for ages 2–4 at Nightingale Infant & Nursery School in Taverham. It can accommodate a maximum of 52 children.

A full-time teacher works with nursery practitioners, and children take part in school events and visit the library. The nursery therefore brings some of the wider school into a young child’s day. At the Ofsted inspection on 23 and 24 May 2023, early years provision was graded Good, a judgement covering the school’s early years rather than a separate nursery inspection.

Play and adult guidance alternate through the session. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning about language, relationships and movement with early literacy, mathematics, creativity and understanding the world. Staff observe children and use what they notice to plan their next learning steps. Talk 4 Writing gives stories a named place in the approach.

Circle time differs between the rooms. Hatchlings may sing or hear a story; Fledglings take the register, discuss lunch and do dough disco. Children then choose activities, with construction, role play, books, water and playdough among the options. Tidying and another circle time bring the morning towards lunch or home time; the afternoon follows the same pattern.

Indoors and outdoors are both part of nursery play, with children able to choose between them. Across the early years environment, a shared canopy shelters sand, water and sensory activities. Crates and planks become large constructions, while the garden gives children opportunities to grow plants and investigate mini-beasts. A mud kitchen adds measuring and pretend play. These are practical ways to explore ideas through materials and movement.

In May 2023, early years children used COOL time to pursue interests and return to learning they had already explored. Choice had a learning purpose, giving children opportunities to practise rather than simply move between activities.

Settling begins with a parent conversation lasting 30–45 minutes while the child plays in another nursery room. A two-hour session without parents follows. Children building towards full days first try a half day, and the transition can be extended to suit their needs. Staff contact parents if their child has not settled after 45 minutes.

The key person is the first contact for questions about progress. For two-year-olds, the key person and nursery teacher prepare a written developmental summary to share with families. Tapestry also connects home and nursery: parents can see achievements and contribute their own updates. For children with SEND, support follows an assess, plan, do and review cycle, with family views included and specialist input used where needed.

Lunch can be a meal from the school kitchen, using a Norse menu, or a packed lunch from home. An adult sits with children to help them eat. Meals are charged separately from funded childcare, and families should supply snacks if required. Collection uses a password system and nominated adults, so changes to the person collecting must be communicated to staff or the office.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate school application through Norfolk County Council and meet the normal application deadline. Treat the nursery booking and the Reception application as two separate tasks.

Transition activities serve a different purpose. Nursery children spend time with the Reception class as they prepare for school, alongside library visits and participation in special events. This offers familiarity with school life; it does not secure admission.

Term-time provision runs Monday to Friday over 38 weeks. Morning sessions are 8:45am–11:45am, afternoons 12:15pm–3:15pm and full days 8:45am–3:15pm. Lunch supervision, from 11:45am–12:15pm, can be added to either shorter session.

The nursery offers the universal 15 funded hours and an extension to 30 hours for eligible families, with funded provision for eligible two-year-olds too. Extra hours and meals sit outside that entitlement. Ask the school for current charges before agreeing a booking. Families are asked to use at least three sessions, with nursery allocation priority given to those taking the full 15 hours.

Register interest through the school office on 01603 867976 or officenightingale@istnorfolk.co.uk. Children join a waiting list, and registration does not guarantee a nursery place. Navy blue clothing with a white polo shirt is encouraged; two-year-olds are not expected to wear uniform. Bring named spare clothes, a water bottle and weather protection, and leave wellies at nursery for outdoor learning.