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Nursery at Horndean 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Colour mixing, dough fossils and clay minibeasts give Horndean’s nursery a distinctly practical character. This is the nursery within Horndean Infant School, taking children from three years old on Merchistoun Road in Horndean.
At the Ofsted inspection on 6 and 7 July 2022, early years provision was judged Outstanding. That judgement covered the school’s early years provision collectively, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Learning starts with the individual child. In July 2022, nursery staff knew children exceptionally well and shaped teaching around their interests and what they needed to learn next. For parents, that means activities had a clear developmental purpose, with teaching adjusted to the child rather than simply following a topic.
The nursery art curriculum gives a concrete picture of that learning. Children explore marks and explain what they mean, experiment with colour, and use rollers or stampers to print. Playdough and salt dough introduce modelling and texture. These activities bring hand movements, ideas and language together: children have something to make, manipulate and talk about.
Materials change as the curriculum progresses. Drawing includes sand, mud and shaving foam; later activities introduce watercolours, prints pressed into dough to make fossils, and clay work involving minibeasts or cress pots. Children also choose materials for their own collages. There is room for decisions as well as technique, helping children turn an idea into something tangible.
Support begins early. In July 2022, children’s special educational needs and disabilities were recognised promptly in nursery, and staff adjusted teaching skilfully to meet them. The emphasis was on understanding the child and adapting the activity, so additional needs were addressed within learning.
Across the school, speech and language support includes early intervention in the Foundation Stage, with liaison between staff, parents and the NHS speech and language service. Some Foundation Stage children may also be assessed using the Boxall Profile to help staff understand social, emotional or behavioural difficulties and plan support.
Parents can raise developmental concerns with the class teacher, with the SENDCo involved where needed. For children receiving a Special Needs Individual Plan (SNIP), families discuss targets and progress each term and receive a copy to use at home. This gives parents a practical part in reviewing support, rather than leaving them to wait for an annual update.
Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Hampshire County Council’s school admissions service is the route signposted by the school.
Transition support is a separate matter. For children with additional needs, the school can arrange extra visits for individual families. Some children may have transition booklets when changing classes, giving them something familiar to refer to as routines change. These arrangements support adjustment; they do not secure admission.
Contact the school office on 023 9259 3453 for enquiries and admissions guidance. The SENDCo can also be reached through the office.
Parking within the school grounds is limited, so plan to park safely and considerately outside. A disabled parking space can be arranged by telephoning ahead. School access features include ramps and an accessible toilet, with wider doors in some parts of the building. Families with individual access requirements can discuss reasonable adjustments with the school.
The nursery takes children from three years old and forms part of Horndean Infant School.
Activities include colour exploration, printing, collage, dough modelling and drawing with materials such as sand, mud and shaving foam.
At the inspection on 6 and 7 July 2022, the school’s early years provision was judged Outstanding. This was an early years judgement within the school inspection.
No. Nursery and Reception admissions are separate, and families must apply again through the normal Reception admissions process.
Start with the class teacher. The SENDCo is also contactable through the school office on 023 9259 3453.
