Calcot Infant School and Nursery: Nursery Review

Outdoor play in every weather, stories and singing, and a sleep room with individual floor beds give Calcot's nursery day its shape. This is the school's own nursery on Curtis Road, with 60 places. Its September 2026 offer includes children aged two, three and four, bringing younger children into a school setting while keeping their care routines central.

Ofsted's inspection on 2 and 3 February 2023 judged early years provision Outstanding within the school inspection. That judgement covers the early years phase, rather than a separately inspected nursery. Children received carefully targeted learning activities and achieved highly, with learning spaces that encouraged engagement.

Play does the teaching here. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together language, movement, relationships, early reading and maths, creativity and discovering how the world works. Adults guide exploration and experimentation, so learning includes communicating with other children and trying solutions rather than simply completing tasks.

Group activities punctuate periods of indoor and outdoor play. Stories, songs and fruit snacks provide further pauses, with lunch separating the morning and afternoon. The routine can flex around children's interests: an absorbing activity may last longer, and an idea can develop over several days. For children using wraparound care, breakfast and tea extend that pattern.

Art gives exploration a concrete purpose. Early years activities include investigating textures, experimenting with colour and learning to handle simple tools, through both children's choices and adult guidance. Outdoor play continues whatever the weather, making wellies and a puddle suit practical essentials. The older nursery group's outdoor area sits beside the infant hall.

The February 2023 curriculum improvement action applied across the school: curriculum revisions needed consolidation and their effect on learning needed evaluation. It was a school-wide action, alongside the Outstanding early years judgement.

Settling starts with a Stay and Play session alongside a parent, followed by a home visit from two nursery team members. Children then have two independent visits of one hour each. Staff can adjust this sequence for a child who needs longer, giving families a gradual introduction rather than a single abrupt start.

Tapestry connects home and nursery through children's Learning Journeys, with parents invited to contribute. Termly meetings discuss progress and next steps. For younger children, the same app records nappy changes and sleep, bringing everyday care into that communication too.

Two-year-olds who need a midday nap can rest after lunch for up to an hour. Individual floor beds have bedding allocated to each child, and staff check sleeping children regularly. Parents can explain helpful sleep habits, including comforters or white noise.

Food is flexible: a hot lunch or food brought from home, plus breakfast and tea options around longer sessions. Fresh fruit is served at both daily snack breaks, and the nursery excludes nuts. All nursery staff have paediatric first aid training. The schools' SEND policy involves parents in identifying needs, planning support and reviewing it, giving families a role throughout that process.

Attending Calcot's nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route by the normal deadline. Treat choosing nursery care and applying for school as separate decisions.

Three session patterns run on weekdays during school terms: Core hours from 9am to 3pm, Extended day from 8.30am to 4pm, and Wraparound from 7.30am to 5.30pm. Holiday cover. These sessions operate in term time only, so families needing care during school holidays must plan separately.

Eligible families can use funded places with a valid childcare code; code details need reconfirming every three months. Additional paid hours depend on availability. Meals carry separate charges, with packed alternatives for lunch and tea. Ask the school for current charges and contact the Infant office on 0118 941 8189 or office@c-inf.w-berks.sch.uk for nursery enquiries.

Two-year-olds wear practical play clothes; from three, children are asked to add a red jumper or cardigan. Bring named spare clothing and outdoor kit. Collection by a different adult requires advance permission, so changes to family arrangements need communicating before pickup.