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Nursery at Townhill Infant School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Two short sessions of rhyme and sound games give Townhill’s nursery day a clear language focus. Stories, conversation and play sit alongside these early listening activities, giving children practice in expressing ideas before formal reading develops.
Townhill Nursery belongs to Townhill Infant School on Benhams Road, Southampton, and takes children from 2 years of age until school age. Families can choose a morning, afternoon or full day. In May 2026, Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision to be at a Strong standard. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.
Play and adult teaching work together here. The nursery follows Development Matters within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), combining activities led by adults with opportunities for children to pursue their own ideas. In parent language, the curriculum brings together talking, movement and relationships with early maths, literacy, creative work and discovering how the world works. Adults teach through groups and individual attention as well as classroom sessions.
Paw Patrol characters help children discuss how they learn: trying something unfamiliar, persevering when it becomes difficult and thinking through their own ideas. The practical point is that effort and problem-solving become things young children can recognise and talk about.
Little Wandle provides the approach to early sound work. Nursery children have two short sessions each day involving Rhyme Time and Phase 1 activities, building attention, listening and the ability to combine spoken sounds. The Poetry Basket supplies further poems, songs and rhymes. Daily reading time lasts 15-20 minutes, and nursery books use repeated language that children can become familiar with.
A book corner is accessible during free flow play each day, so stories also have a place outside adult-led reading. Outdoors, early years learning includes opportunities to explore, develop movement and practise writing. In May 2026, adults’ conversations and questions during play and routines helped children extend their vocabulary, with time to consider an answer. Language learning runs through the day rather than being confined to a group activity.
Settling starts with sessions attended by a parent or carer. This gives children an introduction to nursery with someone familiar beside them. Staff also use observations to plan each child’s next learning steps; learning journeys bring together photographs, examples of work and contributions from families.
Early help matters here. In May 2026, early years staff spotted gaps in learning and responded with focused support that helped children catch up. Adults also maintained high expectations while putting assistance in place promptly. For families with concerns about special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), the school’s SENCO can be contacted through the office or at sendco@townhill-inf.net. Parents are involved throughout the process of identifying and supporting additional needs.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no admissions priority at Townhill. Families must make a separate application through the normal local authority route. Southampton council-tax households apply through Southampton Admissions; those paying council tax to Eastleigh Borough Council apply through Hampshire County Council. For September 2027 entry, the deadline is 15 January 2027.
Transition support is a separate matter. The school’s programme for Reception starters includes Stay and Play, taster sessions, transition afternoons and opportunities to experience lunchtime. For children with SEND, visits and social stories can be arranged according to their needs. These support familiarity with the next setting, rather than changing admission rights.
The full day runs from 9am to 3pm. Morning sessions run from 8.45am to 11.45am, while afternoons start at 12.30pm and finish at 3.30pm. These distinct patterns give families a concrete basis for planning collection and other commitments.
For nursery enquiries, telephone the school office on 023 8047 4835 and ask to be transferred to the nursery.
Children can attend from 2 years of age until school age.
A full day is 9am-3pm, a morning is 8.45am-11.45am and an afternoon is 12.30pm-3.30pm.
Children are offered settling-in sessions with a parent or carer present.
No. Attendance gives no admissions priority at Townhill, and families apply separately. The deadline for September 2027 Reception entry is 15 January 2027.
Call 023 8047 4835. The school office will transfer you to the nursery.
