Chiltern Nursery Nurse Training School: Nursery Review

Soft play rooms, large gardens and childcare training on site give Chiltern its distinctive shape. The nursery sits alongside the training college in Caversham, Reading; this review focuses on the school nursery age range of 3 to 5. Learning and everyday care share the same spaces.

Six rooms serve the Over 2s department: five have a maximum occupancy of 16 children each, and the other accommodates up to 14. Room allocation depends on vacancies, so families cannot choose a particular room with certainty. We hold no published inspection grade for this school nursery.

Outdoor time comes twice a day for the Over 2s, with garden sessions in both the morning and afternoon. Weather affects their duration, including shorter periods during very hot conditions. Suitable outdoor clothes matter here: the gardens are part of the daily routine, rather than an occasional extra. Indoors, nursery rooms and soft play rooms provide further spaces for activity.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guides care and learning. In parent terms, this brings together movement, conversation and relationships with early reading, maths, creative expression and discovering how the world works. Chiltern describes its approach as led by each child, with their interests and needs shaping activities. The nursery believes play and interaction with adults and other children are how young children learn.

Routines can change to suit children's developmental stage and needs. A key person observes each child and uses those observations to plan suitable activities, linking what happens during play to the next steps in their development. Parents can see developmental records at any time and receive written progress summaries. That gives families something concrete to discuss beyond how the day went.

A designated key person is allocated when a child joins, and another allocation takes place when they change department. Other room staff also care for the child, while the key person keeps an overview of their needs. The Over 2s staffing ratio is 1:4. On-site training combines nursery experience with teaching and support from a tutor or assessor.

Settling begins before the first nursery day. An induction covers preferences, routines and individual needs; visits then introduce the room, staff and other children, with parents able to spend time alongside their child. Familiar activities and home routines inform the process. The key person gives updates as settling progresses, helping parents keep track of the adjustment.

Food follows a clear daily pattern: a morning snack, lunch as the main meal, then a lighter afternoon tea. The catering team cooks meals on site from scratch, using Eat Better, Start Better guidance, with no added sugar or salt in recipes. Allergies, intolerances and cultural dietary requirements are discussed during induction, and an individual menu is shared with parents and carers where needed.

Rest is planned with parents too. Children's sleep preferences are discussed and accommodated within the routine as far as possible; a familiar blanket or toy can accompany them. This keeps care connected to habits from home.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Treat choosing nursery and applying for school as separate decisions.

Developmental records contribute to a transition record when a child moves to another setting or starts school. That gives the receiving team information about the child's development, separately from the question of admission.

Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across 51 weeks of the year. Bank holidays are closures, as is the period from Christmas Eve until the first working day after New Year. Minimum attendance is 2 full days (4 sessions), which families need to factor into their weekly plans.

Permanent session changes require a calendar month's written notice and depend on availability and nursery planning. One-off extra sessions can be requested through the manager or deputies up to 2 weeks ahead, subject to availability.

Universal funding is offered for children aged 3 and 4, alongside support for eligible working families with children aged 2, 3 or 4. Contact the nursery for current charges. To arrange a personal tour with the Nursery Manager, email admissions@chilternntc.com or call 0118 947 1847. Parent parking is available for collection and drop-off.