Wheatley Nursery School: Ladybirds and Butterflies

A smaller setting for two-year-olds, a larger room for older children, and garden access throughout sessions: Ladybirds and Butterflies give Wheatley Nursery School two distinct nursery experiences. This is a maintained nursery school in its own right. Ladybirds caters for ages two to three; Butterflies serves three to five-year-olds. Capacity is 24 places per session for under-threes and 52 for children aged three to five.

Play moves between indoors and outdoors, with adult-led group activities alongside children's own explorations. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together movement, communication and relationships with early reading, maths, creativity and understanding the world. Development Matters supports planning and assessment. In parent terms, learning happens through conversation, stories, practical investigation and play, rather than only through a seated activity.

Butterflies has a larger room divided into learning areas. Its white basket system puts books, writing equipment and maths resources within those areas, making them part of children's play. Elsewhere, the mud kitchen, water play and construction resources give children different materials and scales to explore. Ladybirds has a smaller environment designed for two-year-olds, with the same key staff across sessions and access to its garden. Links with older children and their learning spaces help prepare Ladybirds children for their next nursery stage.

Welly Wednesdays extend exploration outdoors; local walks include collecting conkers and investigating traffic. Core Books include Owl Babies and The Very Hungry Caterpillar, with a book focus each half term connecting stories to activities. Early phonics includes listening for environmental sounds, body percussion and rhyme. These are practical starting points for listening and language.

In May 2023, Ofsted found that children gained knowledge successfully, including those with SEND, and that outdoor teaching supported interaction and shared play. Teaching consistency. Some staff had yet to put newer curriculum elements fully into practice, especially questioning and exchanges that develop vocabulary and knowledge. Children therefore had scope to achieve more. Families should weigh that concern alongside the detailed learning opportunities.

Settling begins before the first session. Children can make a short visit with a parent or carer, and their key person visits them at home before they start. That gives families an opportunity to discuss their child with the adult who will connect home and nursery. Tapestry records learning, while ClassDojo shares activities for families to follow at home. Parent evenings take place in November, March and June.

Children bring lunch from home. Snacks encourage tooth-friendly choices and trying different foods; drinks are milk or water. Cooking and gardening connect food with handling ingredients and exploring seasonal produce. Quiet spaces indoors and outdoors allow children to rest, and staff support toilet training when the child is ready.

SEND support includes individual targets worked on with an adult, the Attention Autism Programme, communication through objects, photographs and symbols, and sensory circuits. WELLCOMM helps staff assess language development and plan interventions. This gives support several practical forms rather than relying on spoken instructions alone. In May 2023, safeguarding was effective, with prompt action when children needed help and collaboration with external agencies.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate primary-school application through the Oxfordshire County Council Admissions Team, using the normal Reception application process and deadline.

Preparation for primary school is a separate matter. Staff arrange transition meetings and visits in small groups, with extra nurture visits for children who need them. Work with parents also addresses practical skills and emotional readiness. These arrangements help children prepare for a new setting; they do not secure admission.

The nursery operates for 39 weeks, during term time. Morning sessions run from 9am to noon and afternoon sessions from noon to 3pm. Butterflies offers patterns of five funded sessions for 15 hours, including whole or half days, or ten sessions for 30 hours. Government criteria and the appropriate eligibility code apply to funded offers; two-year-old funded places are also offered.

Breakfast Club runs from 8am to 9am, Monday to Friday. After School Club runs from 3pm to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, with a shorter 3pm to 3.30pm option for families collecting siblings elsewhere. Families receiving a Universal 15 Hour Offer place can book regular extra sessions ahead, subject to availability; occasional sessions may be possible. Session availability. Requests cannot always be accommodated, and eligibility for extended funding does not ensure a 30-hour place here. This matters when planning work and childcare.

For enquiries and visits, contact admin@wheatleynurseryschool.com or telephone 01865 598044. Email the office for club bookings. Ask the school for current charges.