Whitehorse Manor Infant School Nursery Review

Early learning here sits within an infant school, with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) providing the starting point for teaching. Whitehorse Manor Infant School’s nursery is in Thornton Heath, within the Pegasus Academy Trust. Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at its inspection on 5 and 6 March 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Learning is planned around children’s starting points. Across Pegasus, the EYFS shapes teaching for younger children, and assessment on entry helps staff build on what a child already knows. For parents, this means the curriculum is intended to respond to individual development rather than assume everyone begins with the same skills.

Seven areas of learning and development make up the EYFS. Mathematics is taught daily across the Trust, while teachers adapt learning challenges to children’s needs. Support can include practical experiences involving different senses, help with language and communication, and learning how to recognise and manage emotions. These connect learning with participation: understanding an instruction, joining an activity and expressing a feeling all receive attention.

Additional support has a named structure. The class teacher and Inclusion Manager monitor children’s progress, and parents are involved early when concerns arise. An initial cycle of assessment, planning, action and review runs for six weeks before staff review progress and decide the next step.

A Pupil Passport records personalised provision for children receiving support beyond the usual classroom arrangements. Parents, the child, teacher and Inclusion Manager contribute to it. Targets and teaching strategies are recorded together, with reviews usually taking place each term. This gives families a concrete way to discuss what help is being provided and whether it needs adjusting.

Physical adaptations at Whitehorse Manor Infants include enhanced acoustics. Across the Trust, communication support includes pictorial prompts and Makaton signing, giving children alternative ways to understand and communicate.

Food requires attention to individual needs too. Harrisons caters for Pegasus schools, and dietary adjustments can usually be arranged with advance notice, although choices may be reduced. For some potentially dangerous intolerances, families may prefer a packed lunch. The infant school’s autumn/winter 2026–2027 menu includes Macaroni Cheese and Winter Vegetable Hotpot.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no nursery-based priority under the 2027–28 arrangements. Families must make a separate application through Croydon Council’s e-admissions process by the applicable closing date. There is no automatic transfer.

Treat that application as a separate task alongside nursery life. School staff cannot determine allocations, though the front office can help families use the application process. Familiarity with the school does not replace an application or alter the admission criteria.

For nursery enquiries, contact the infant school office on 020 8689 7679 or email whinfadmin@pegasusacademytrust.org. The school address is Whitehorse Road, Thornton Heath, CR7 8SB.

Studybugs handles parent communication and absence reporting across the Trust. This gives families a shared channel for reporting that their child will be away.