Penn Wood Primary and Nursery School: Nursery Review

A story shed, a pond and woodland give Penn Wood’s nursery children plenty to talk about before they ever put pencil to paper. This is an on-site nursery for three- and four-year-olds at Penn Wood Primary and Nursery School in Slough. Children can join in the term following their third birthday. For the 2025–2026 academic year, nursery capacity was 104 places.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 15 and 16 July 2025. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating. The early years findings connect ambitious learning with skilled adult interaction, growing confidence and children learning to share.

Play has a clear structure here. The spring session pattern starts with Rise & Shine activities and registration, incorporating movement and hand skills. Literacy, maths or wider curriculum work follows, then a substantial period combining activities led by adults with children’s own choices. Tidying, group work and a story, rhyme or song complete the session. Children have time to pursue an activity as well as practise joining a group.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together communication, physical skills and emotional development with early reading, maths, creative work and understanding the world. Penn Wood uses Talk 4 Writing: children explore stories through repeated telling and role-play, giving them words and ideas to use in their own storytelling. Drawing and writing materials are freely accessible; letter sounds and formation are introduced when individual children are ready.

Books have several homes, including indoor and outdoor reading corners and the purpose-built story shed. Beyond the nursery garden, children explore the pond and woodland, collecting seasonal materials and watching tadpoles develop into frogs. These are concrete starting points for learning about change. Counting uses pebbles and other natural objects, while threading, cutting and tools such as tweezers exercise the hands needed for early writing.

Each child has a key person, giving them a familiar adult relationship. Settling starts in small groups on staggered days, so a nursery staff member can concentrate on the newcomers and their routines. A home visit may also take place, followed by an arranged nursery visit. Initial stays can be shorter, with separation extended gradually for children who find it difficult.

Tapestry connects nursery experiences with home: staff share observations, photographs and videos, and parents can comment or contribute their own. Daily fruit and milk are provided, so families do not need to pack a snack. Full-day children remain for lunch, with a hot meal included in the additional-session arrangements. Families should flag food allergies and provide spare clothing for water play or changes.

Support for additional needs includes a school SENDCo and speech and language staff. Early years staff monitor development and respond to parental concerns. Student Support Plans are reviewed termly with families, making agreed support and next steps part of an ongoing conversation. Bilingual staff also support children learning English through language games, stories and activities alongside their chosen play.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through local authority admissions: Slough residents use Slough’s online route, while families living elsewhere apply through their home authority. For September 2026 entry, the Slough deadline was 15 January 2026. Nursery attendance conferred no priority under the 2026–2027 criteria.

Transition support is a separate matter from allocation. Where needed, additional visits and transition sessions help children become familiar with school before starting. Families should keep the application process distinct from this preparation.

Since September 2026, morning sessions run from 8:30 to 11:30 and full days from 8:30 to 15:25. Afternoon sessions run from 12:25 to 15:25. Attendance follows a five-day pattern during school terms; the 15-hour entitlement covers five morning or afternoon sessions over 38 weeks. Extended 30-hour places depend on eligibility and space, with eligibility reconfirmed termly.

Additional hours. Extra sessions are arranged ahead of each term, subject to availability and a parent-school contract. Full-day provision includes time beyond the funded hours at lunchtime. Confirm current charges with the school before committing.

Nursery enquiries can go to admissions@pennwood.slough.sch.uk. Interested families are invited to visit during the school day. Uniform includes a green polo shirt, with dark green or black jogging bottoms permitted. Label clothing and pack a change. Children must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult aged at least 16, and collection adults must be authorised on the school’s form.