Eton End School Nursery Review

Spanish with Kidslingo, music in the Music Department and specialist Games and PE give Eton End’s nursery a distinct school-based character. Children join a wider school community while still having opportunities to choose activities around their own interests.

Based in Datchet, the nursery takes children from the term after their second birthday. Its Spring 2025 fee schedule names Woodpeckers for ages two to three and Starlings for ages three to four. ISI’s inspection of 17 to 19 October 2023 found that children across the early years progressed quickly across their learning and felt secure, enjoyed activities and socialised comfortably.

Choice has a practical place in learning. In October 2023, early-years children could frequently pursue their interests through activities they selected themselves. Mixed-age enrichment included cupcake making and sign language, bringing younger children into contact with the wider school. These are useful examples of learning through doing rather than relying entirely on adult-led tasks.

The Early Years Foundation Stage combines learning with personal development. Here, that includes emotional and social learning, physical coordination and early writing skills. Jigsaw is the school’s named approach to personal, social and health education; its themes include relationships and healthy living. For a nursery child, learning to take turns belongs alongside learning to handle a pencil.

Specialists add variety. Nursery Spanish uses Kidslingo, while music teaching takes place in the Music Department and includes listening, singing and performance opportunities such as the Nursery Nativity. Weekly Games and PE input from the Head of Sport develops coordination and ball handling.

Outdoor activity also builds physical confidence. In October 2023, early-years children practised catching, throwing, jumping and running, alongside choosing play resources independently. Fine motor work supported pencil control and letter formation. Learning extended to lunch, where children persisted with cutting their food: independence had an everyday purpose.

Before joining, nursery children are invited to spend time at school, offering an initial opportunity to become familiar with it. The school’s pastoral structure makes the Form Teacher the first contact for parents and children, supported by a wider pastoral team. In October 2023, early-years staff used calm guidance to help children understand turn-taking and make appropriate choices.

Full-day nursery lunches are cooked on site and supervised by the nursery team. The Spring 2025 schedule includes lunch within full-day fees and prohibits packed lunches. Sodexo provides the school’s catering, with vegetarian mains, fruit and yoghurt among the choices. The Dining Hall includes a kitchen, servery and seating area; the school also operates a nut-free policy.

School-wide learning support covers sensory, emotional and physical difficulties as well as help with English and maths. Specialist individual support may attract an additional charge. Safeguarding arrangements include an EYFS safeguarding team and staff training in online safety and PREVENT.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Treat Reception admission as a separate process and apply through the school’s admissions route. Eton End’s entry process uses registration followed by an offer, subject to taster feedback and transfer information; nursery and Reception entrants do not undergo formal assessment.

Mixed-age enrichment gives children experience of belonging to the wider school. That familiarity is distinct from an entitlement to a place.

The Spring 2025 schedule sets out mornings from 08:20 to 12:00, afternoons from 12:30 to 15:30 and full days from 08:20 to 15:30. Woodpeckers have a minimum of three sessions each week; Starlings have five. These attendance commitments matter when planning childcare around work.

For 2026–2027, eligible families can notify the school about either 15 or 30 funded hours so their charges reflect that entitlement. Contact the school for current charges. Its Spring 2025 funding model allocates hours against sessions used, counting a full day as two sessions and permitting combinations of mornings and afternoons.

Enquiries can be made online or through admin@etonend.org, and individual tours can be booked. Nursery has a uniform list, with purchases through Billing & Edmonds or The Friends of Eton End. Pre-loved sales take place each half term.