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Nursery at West Earlham Infant and Nursery School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Waterproofs, wellies and time to follow an absorbing game give this nursery its character. At West Earlham Infant and Nursery School, children practise independence through outdoor messy play, choosing activities and managing familiar routines. Communication is a clear focus, with language work woven into learning rather than reserved for children who need extra help.
The purpose-built nursery sits within the infant school on Scarnell Road in Norwich. Its 104-place sessional provision serves children aged two to four: Conkers takes two-year-olds, while Seedlings and Saplings cater for three- and four-year-olds. This is a nursery organised around short sessions and age-specific groups.
Long stretches of uninterrupted play are a deliberate part of the day. Children can pursue their interests, make decisions and try manageable challenges, with adults supporting their learning. In Conkers, children use both the outdoor and indoor environments daily. For the older groups, getting into waterproof clothing and wellies is itself a learning opportunity: outdoor play begins with practising how to dress independently.
The Early Years Framework guides the curriculum. In parent terms, the emphasis is on learning through exploration, developing communication and becoming more independent alongside other children. Planned environments support active learning and thinking creatively. Snack time, toileting and choosing where to play also give children opportunities to practise doing things for themselves.
Language has named programmes behind it. Every nursery child takes part in Early Years Talk Boost. SignAlong and Word Aware are used in daily learning across the school, while classroom games exercise listening, attention and memory. These give children several ways to engage with words and communication.
Maths includes practical problems from the two-year-old provision upwards. Each classroom has a Maths Area for exploring ideas through play and guided activities; adults model mathematical language during EYFS routines and play. Science brings investigations and first-hand exploration into nursery learning, and nursery children have daily access to technology to explore their world.
Settling begins before the first session. Families are offered home visits and opportunities to visit their child's class, helping children become familiar with its surroundings and routines. Conkers emphasises relationships with a Key Person. Its provision is led by an EYPS; the Seedlings and Saplings team has QTS and EYPS leadership.
Speech support combines assessment with targeted help. Termly WELLCOMM assessments consider what children understand and what they can express, and the speech and language team provides individual or group therapy where needed. In October 2024, Ofsted found that nursery routines helped children listen to others and wait patiently, while language needs were assessed closely from nursery onwards and addressed promptly.
Milk is provided in nursery, and children can drink fresh water throughout the day. The Family Support Worker also helps parents with concerns about education, behaviour and wellbeing, as well as wider pressures such as housing or health. Parents can make contact through the school office or Class Dojo, giving them a direct route into that support.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no priority in the school's admission criteria. Families must make a separate school application through Norfolk County Council's normal admissions process. They can express up to three school preferences, with applications sent directly to the local authority.
The distinction matters: becoming familiar with nursery adults and routines is separate from receiving a school place. Families should plan for the Reception application as a fresh step, even when their child already attends Conkers, Seedlings or Saplings.
Sessions last three hours and run in either the morning or afternoon. The morning session is 8.35am to 11.35am, with collection doors opening at 11.25am. Afternoons run from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, with doors opening for collection at 3.15pm. These collection arrangements are useful when coordinating siblings or travel.
Both paying and funded places are offered. Refer to the school for current charges. Families can use the nursery waiting-list form, and visits to the school can be arranged by appointment. General enquiries go to the office on 01603 451299 or office@weins.co.uk.
Conkers is for two-year-olds. Seedlings and Saplings take three- and four-year-olds within the nursery's provision for ages two to four.
Morning sessions run from 8.35am to 11.35am; afternoon sessions run from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Collection doors open at 11.25am and 3.15pm respectively.
Families are offered home visits and visits to the setting before children start. Conkers also focuses on building a relationship with a Key Person.
Yes. The nursery offers funded places alongside paying places, with provision for funded two-year-olds and funded three- and four-year-olds.
No. Nursery attendance neither guarantees a place nor confers admission priority. A separate application goes through Norfolk County Council's school admissions process.
