Newbold School Nursery Review

Play has room to spread at Newbold: Foundation One combines a large classroom with direct access to an enclosed outdoor area. This is the nursery class within Newbold School, an independent Christian school in Binfield with a Seventh-day Adventist ethos. Children join from age three, and families of different faiths and backgrounds are welcome.

At the November 2023 inspection, the nursery had 24 places for three-year-olds, with children attending either part time or full time. Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Outstanding at that inspection. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Children's interests help shape the learning. Foundation One follows the Early Years Foundation Stage, combining play with daily adult-led activities in small groups organised by ability. For parents, that means time to explore independently alongside focused teaching suited to their child's development.

Inside, children can build, experiment with sensory materials, paint or try pretend play in the home corner. A book corner and activities at tables give other ways to engage. The classroom's different areas make space for both imaginative play and more focused tasks.

Outdoor learning extends beyond a single play space. Children can move between the classroom and the enclosed early years area; scheduled visits to the larger playground bring access to play apparatus. PE takes place in the school hall. These settings give movement its own place in the nursery day.

The November 2023 early years findings describe children exploring ideas through play, tackling problems and talking with adults. Early reading teaching was consistent, with reading books matched to the sounds children had learned. Shared stories and singing supported vocabulary development. The practical benefit is a combination of conversation, enjoyment of books and carefully sequenced reading work.

Partnership with parents is part of Foundation One's approach to meeting individual needs. Staff follow children's interests and use strategies to help children settle. This links support to the child rather than expecting every newcomer to respond in the same way.

For children needing additional help, including those learning English, visual prompts and work with professionals from other agencies form part of the support. The Foundation One leader also holds the early years SENCO role and serves as the Early Years Lead Language Practitioner, linking classroom leadership with special educational needs and language support.

Toilet training. Children must be toilet trained before starting Foundation One. This is a practical entry condition to consider when deciding when your child is ready to join.

Attending Newbold's nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Confirm Reception application requirements and deadlines with the school.

Some nursery children with more advanced phonics skills can join Foundation Two for those teaching sessions. This provides contact with the next class for a specific learning activity; it should be kept separate from the question of securing admission.

Foundation One offers mornings from 08:45 to 12:10, afternoons from 12:30 to 15:30, and full days from 08:45 to 15:30, subject to availability. An early years schedule associated with the 2020-2021 calendar also lists Friday collection at 12:30. Agree the selected days and collection arrangements when arranging a place.

The funding model described for Foundation One covers 38 weeks annually, starting in the term after a child's third birthday, with 15 hours of free entitlement and an extended 30-hour entitlement. Eligibility determines the applicable arrangement. Ask the school for current charges.

Visits can be arranged by appointment. For enquiries, call 01344 421088. Foundation One uniform appears alongside the school's other uniforms, with purchases through Your School Uniform.