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Nursery at Hilltop 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A purpose-built nursery beside the infant school gives Hilltots its own space while keeping children involved in school life. The provision at Hilltop Infant School in Wickford caters for children aged two to four. Children can start after their second birthday, initially attending a morning or afternoon session; full days become an option at three.
Hilltots opened in January 2019 and occupies a building adjacent to the main school. A qualified early years teacher oversees the provision. This combines a nursery setting of its own with regular contact with the wider school community, including shared lunch activities.
Play provides the starting point for exploration. Practitioners arrange invitations to play that encourage children to investigate, with resources used across both the outdoor environment and indoor learning space. Hilltots aims to develop curiosity and independence, giving children opportunities to explore and investigate through play.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning through language, movement, play and early mathematical experiences. Here, communication and literacy run through the early years curriculum across the week. Mathematics includes practical exploration, discussion and applying ideas during play. Children also develop physical skills through teaching and opportunities to move and practise in indoor and outdoor classrooms.
Familiar books, songs and rhymes give the nursery day a clear language focus. In November 2024, nursery children were listening to stories and joining in, while children across early years practised counting in different steps. These experiences give children ways to build vocabulary and understand number through participation.
Consistency of learning. Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Good following its inspection on 12 and 13 November 2024. Some early years activities did not match the planned curriculum's ambition, producing uneven learning experiences; spoken-language opportunities were also inconsistent at times. The improvement priority was to make activities purposeful and reliably support learning. This is a judgement of the school's early years provision, which includes the nursery.
The Hilltots team includes early years key workers alongside a room lead who also holds responsibility for phonics. In November 2024, two- and three-year-olds settled promptly into nursery. Learning included sharing turns and cooperating with other children, making everyday social routines part of the curriculum.
Home visits formed part of the September 2025 arrangements for Hilltots. Parents receive termly progress information through Tapestry, alongside reports and opportunities for consultation. That gives families a way to follow learning beyond the nursery session.
For concerns about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), parents can arrange a meeting with the school's SEND team through the office. The safeguarding team also includes a deputy lead with an EYFS role. These provide identifiable routes for raising learning or welfare concerns.
Attending Hilltots does not guarantee a Reception place at Hilltop Infant School. Families must make a separate application through the normal Reception process and meet the deadline for their intake. The application route is Essex Planning and Admissions. For the past 2025 admissions cycle, applications closed on 15 January 2025.
Familiarity with school life is a separate benefit from admission. Hilltots children participate in lunch and events such as Enterprise Day; the nursery aims for this involvement to help children feel comfortable when moving into the infants. It does not secure a school place.
Morning and afternoon sessions are available from after the second birthday, with full days from age three. Funded places cover up to 15 or 30 hours a week, and additional sessions can be purchased. Contact the school for current charges.
For a nursery visit or an application, contact Hilltots directly at hilltots@heartsacademy.uk or on 01268 387555. This provides a direct enquiry route to the preschool team.
Hilltots caters for children aged two to four. Children can join after their second birthday.
Children initially join morning or afternoon sessions. Full days become available when they are three.
Yes. Funded places cover up to 15 or 30 hours a week. Additional sessions can be purchased; contact the school for current charges.
No. Families must apply separately through the normal Reception process. The application route is Essex Planning and Admissions.
Email hilltots@heartsacademy.uk or telephone Hilltots directly on 01268 387555 to arrange a visit.
