Eastfield Infant and Nursery School Nursery Review

The Spinney, a pond and a nursery outdoor area give Fox class plenty of scope to take learning beyond the classroom. Eastfield’s nursery forms part of the school’s Early Years provision in St Ives, with children joining from the term following their third birthday. Morning, afternoon and full-day patterns make this a provision families can fit around different routines.

Fox class has support from nursery-qualified staff within the Foundation Stage team. For parents, the important distinction is between choosing this nursery day and securing a later school place: those are separate decisions.

Children’s own choices sit alongside teaching led by adults. Topics respond to their interests and learning needs, while activities take place both indoors and outside. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together early reading and maths, creativity, understanding the world, movement, communication and social development. In practice, an activity can develop several of these skills together, such as coordinating movements while making something.

Outdoor learning has substantial physical space behind it. Beyond the nursery’s own outdoor area, children can use the school field, adventure playground, pond area and the small woodland named The Spinney. Movement begins with action songs and rhymes, then develops through forest-school style activities. Tricycles, scooters, balancing equipment and large construction resources give children ways to practise coordination, solve problems and work together.

Creative work includes experimenting with paint tools, mixing colours and practising scissors. Little Wandle Letters and Sounds revised provides the named approach to phonics from nursery onwards. Early maths combines play chosen by children with activities guided by adults, developing counting, number patterns and simple calculations.

At the November 2024 inspection, nursery children could recognise small collections of objects without counting and readily followed adults’ instructions. These are concrete foundations for number understanding and group learning. Assessment needs attention. Across the school, checks on learning in some subjects needed further development, and questions occasionally exceeded pupils’ knowledge, causing confusion. This is a school-wide concern rather than a finding confined to nursery.

Settling support includes a home visit before nursery and opportunities for parents and children to make supported visits. These give families a chance to discuss emotional needs and the support their child may require before starting.

A weekly nursery newsletter shares songs, stories, rhymes and vocabulary, alongside activities families can try at home. That gives parents specific starting points for conversations about the day. For children with SEND, support follows an Assess, Plan, Do and Review cycle, with parents involved in decisions and reviews. The nursery has a ramp leading to double doors, an accessible toilet and nappy-changing facilities, making physical access and personal care practical parts of provision.

Children attending all day bring a nut-free packed lunch or can have a chargeable school dinner. The lunchtime hour itself carries no charge. Families therefore choose the meal arrangement separately from the attendance pattern.

Attending Eastfield nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must submit a separate school application through the local authority; Eastfield’s admissions are managed by Cambridgeshire County Council. The admissions policy describes an online application window from September to January and directs families to the council for the cycle’s dates. Its oversubscription criteria do not give priority for nursery attendance.

Preparation for the next stage is a different matter. Nursery transition work introduces PE activities, including a sports session involving parents and carers. This helps children become familiar with school-style activities; it does not change how Reception places are allocated.

Term-time opening runs Monday to Friday, from 8:30am to 3:30pm. Morning sessions finish at 11:30am; afternoons run from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. The full-day option runs from 8:30am to 2:30pm, with an optional additional hour until 3:30pm. Families choose a regular full-day collection time when applying. The minimum booking is four sessions weekly, and combinations depend on space.

Universal funding covers 15 hours for three- and four-year-olds from the term after their third birthday. Eligible families may access up to 30 hours, subject to criteria and availability. Funding is non-stretched, capped at 38 weeks annually; the full-day funded block includes lunchtime. The optional final hour uses remaining entitlement where possible and is chargeable once that entitlement is exhausted. Additional sessions beyond funded hours also depend on availability. Funding guidance distinguishes voluntary meal, consumable and service charges from compulsory conditions of access. Ask the school for current charges.

For nursery applications and visits, email office@eastfield.cambs.sch.uk. The school office also takes calls on 01480 463958 during school hours.