Town Close Co-Educational Preparatory School Nursery

Puppets, tadpoles and adventurous outdoor play give Town Close’s early years a distinctly practical character. Language and independence run through the activities, with children encouraged to explain their ideas and take responsibility for small jobs. Play does real work here.

The nursery belongs to the school’s Pre Prep department in Norwich, on a 15 acre woodland site. The usual nursery entry point is three years old. In June 2025, the early years included one nursery class: a useful distinction from the much larger school around it.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) takes shape through play that develops speech, relationships and movement. During the ISI inspection of 17 to 19 June 2025, early years children used puppets and pretend play, sang songs and played games with rhythm. These give children different ways to practise communicating, joining in and expressing themselves.

Observation also has a place. Watching tadpoles introduced early scientific ideas through something children could examine for themselves. Adults ask questions with several possible answers and demonstrate new vocabulary, helping children move from noticing something to explaining what they think.

Physical learning includes swimming and outdoor adventure, alongside tennis, dance and construction toys. These activities develop coordination through both larger movements and more precise hand movements. Everyday responsibilities matter too: distributing snack cups and clearing away after play let children practise doing things for themselves.

The June 2025 inspection also identified a teaching concern across Pre Prep: some subjects needed more effective teaching so younger pupils could develop their subject knowledge fully. That wider departmental concern sits alongside the specific early years findings about growing confidence, independence and empathy.

A nursery child’s class teacher is the main pastoral contact, giving parents a clear starting point for conversations about their child. September starters have opportunities for settling sessions. In June 2025, early years staff supported emotional development through purposeful play and routines, with training covering speech, language and social development.

Additional needs have a defined route for discussion. Within EYFS, teachers raise concerns with the Head of Learning Support; observation and a meeting with parents can lead to an agreed intervention plan, reviewed after six weeks. The school’s Learning Support Department also uses Pupil Passports to record individual targets and progress. This gives support a focus that families and staff can revisit together.

Toilet training. Children are expected to start nursery toilet trained, although occasional accidents and some help are accepted. Where special educational needs, developmental factors or home circumstances affect readiness, families should discuss this before joining so reasonable adjustments can be considered.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Town Close expects most nursery pupils to continue, but considers each child’s needs and whether suitable adjustments can be made. That expectation should not be treated as an unconditional offer.

Handle Reception admission as a separate decision and confirm the application steps directly with the admissions team. Applications go to the school, which accepts children throughout the year where space permits and has no fixed deadline for applying for the following year.

Pre Prep after-school care runs from 3.45pm to 6pm, with tea served. Advance bookings are made by noon; care has separate charges. Contact the school for current charges, including the nursery lunch arrangements.

For enquiries or a visit, call the admissions team on 01603 599030 or email admissions@townclose.com. Private tours for families considering nursery take approximately 1.5 hours, allowing time to meet the school and Pre Prep leadership. An enquiry form is another route to arranging a visit.