Ladybirds Pre-School at Bishops Itchington Primary School

An old school building gives Ladybirds its own physical identity: the preschool uses the former school building behind the playground. It remains part of Bishops Itchington Primary School, with children aged three to four attending a setting that combines an outdoor learning area with Forest School.

That combination gives the provision a clear character. Children have a preschool base of their own, while outdoor activity forms part of their learning. For families choosing a school nursery, the building and outdoor spaces are concrete features to weigh alongside the session pattern.

Outdoor learning has two forms here: play and learning in the nursery's outdoor area, and activities in Forest School. This gives children opportunities to learn beyond their indoor base rather than making the classroom their only learning space.

The curriculum includes the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Its areas include physical development, communication and language, and expressive arts and design: movement, talking and creative expression sit alongside learning about the world. Progression maps connect preschool learning with the next stages of education.

In September 2022, nursery children practised listening by identifying musical instruments from their sounds. It is a concrete example of early reading preparation beginning with attentive listening. Early-years children also behaved well, listening and participating in lessons that month.

The team includes nursery managers and early years practitioners, with a SENCo role within nursery management and a Level 2 practitioner qualification. That identifies both the day-to-day team structure and a role for coordinating special educational needs support.

Support also connects the preschool with the wider school. School staff work with Ladybirds to recognise additional needs before children join the school, so support can be considered ahead of that move. The school's SEND coordinators liaise with families, staff, and specialist advisers from health services and the local authority. The school site has wheelchair access and an accessible toilet, practical features for families considering physical access.

Attending Ladybirds does not guarantee a Reception place at Bishops Itchington Primary School. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and securing a school place as separate decisions.

For children with SEND, the school's transition approach may include an additional plan, discussions involving parents and existing support agencies, and visits to meet staff and become familiar with the learning space. These are support arrangements, not an admissions advantage.

The nursery opens from 9am to 3pm, divided into morning sessions from 9am to noon and afternoon sessions from noon to 3pm. Families can choose a session or attendance across the full week, giving them a choice about how much of the nursery week their child attends.

Government-funded provision covers 15 hours from the term following a child's third birthday; 30 hours may be available to eligible children. To register a child's details or arrange a preschool visit, contact Ladybirds on 01926 614300.