Sparhawk Infant School & Nursery: Nursery Review

Stories, conversation and growing independence give Sparhawk’s early years provision its character. The nursery welcomes three- and four-year-olds within Sparhawk Infant School & Nursery on Sparhawk Avenue in Sprowston, Norwich. It is a school setting where learning to communicate and learning to care for others sit alongside early writing skills.

Language runs through the day. In February 2025, early years staff demonstrated expertise in children’s development, using conversation and examples of complete sentences to help children express themselves. Stories were a frequent part of the routine. For a young child, that means opportunities to listen, find words and practise making themselves understood.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the curriculum framework. Its practical emphasis here includes communication, independence and developing the small hand movements needed for writing. In February 2025, activities in the early years helped children build that physical control, while children approached learning with confidence and increasing independence.

Supersonic Phonic Friends is the school’s named approach to phonics across EYFS and Key Stage 1. It links sounds and spellings through a structured teaching sequence. Outdoors, each class has a garden for seasonal planting and a tree to observe through the year. These give children concrete things to grow, watch and discuss, connecting vocabulary with changes they can see.

The February 2025 inspection described an organised curriculum that included Nursery. It also identified a school-wide teaching issue: some subject activities did too little to extend understanding. The improvement required was greater staff expertise in choosing tasks that move learning forward. That qualification matters alongside the positive early years findings.

Learning how to treat other children is part of the early years day. In February 2025, staff taught consideration and politeness alongside communication skills. The emphasis gives social learning a practical place in everyday interactions.

For children with additional needs, the school’s SEND coordinator works across the Care Federation with families, staff and specialist agencies. Parent contact includes SEND coordinator drop-ins, meetings about transition and email or text communication. This gives families several ways to discuss support.

School-level interventions include Talk Boost and Colourful semantics for communication, alongside Sensory Circuits for physical and sensory needs. These are useful starting points for discussing an individual child’s support, rather than a promise that every nursery child receives a particular programme. School and families can also access the Norfolk and Waveney Children’s Speech and Language Therapy service.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Norfolk County Council’s Admissions Team manages Reception entry, whereas nursery applications go through the school office. Treat the two applications as separate decisions when planning your child’s next step.

Nursery enquiries go to the school office on 01603 406406 or to sparhawk@steppingstonesdaynursery.org. Visits can be arranged in advance and are led by the Head of School, giving families an opportunity to discuss whether the setting suits their child.

Pre-loved school uniform is available in the foyer during school opening hours. The school’s uniform colours include red knitwear, white polo shirts and grey skirts or trousers. The foyer collection offers a practical option for families obtaining school clothing.