Little Caterpillars at Wimborne First School and Nursery

Discovery Time, a music studio and a forest school area give Little Caterpillars a day that reaches beyond its nursery space. This is Wimborne First School and Nursery’s provision for children aged two, three and four, on Campanula Way in Wimborne. Children use indoor and outdoor learning spaces, with access to the wider school site.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 2 and 3 July 2024. That is an early years judgement within the school inspection, rather than a separate nursery rating.

Play shapes the learning. Discovery Time lets children choose activities, while adults organise group work and individual learning around children’s interests and next steps. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) connects seven areas of development; here, that means learning through exploration, conversation, songs and shared books rather than simply sitting through lessons.

Children can choose resources independently through continuous provision, with enhanced provision adding further learning opportunities. Indoor and outdoor exploration sits alongside visits to the library, music studio and school hall. The forest school area adds another place to investigate. These spaces give children different settings for their play and learning within the same school site.

Stories invite participation: children join repeated phrases and answer straightforward questions about books. Rhymes and singing provide more chances to practise language together. Adult activities can happen individually or in small groups, allowing the learning to respond to a child’s needs. Read Write Inc. phonics teaching begins during the half term before children start school, following earlier work on listening to environmental sounds.

Assessment. In July 2024, the school needed more precise assessment beyond reading, so teaching tasks consistently extended what pupils already knew. This was a school-wide improvement point; parents can keep discussions about their child’s next learning steps specific.

Key workers collaborate with an Early Years teacher. Written observations, photographs and activity examples go to parents through Tapestry, while parents’ evenings and conversations at collection and drop-off provide opportunities to discuss development. That gives families both a record of learning and direct contact with the team.

In July 2024, staff got to know new children, including those in Nursery, quickly, helping them settle. Families can also discuss difficulties at home with their child’s keyworker, and a Family Support Worker provides another contact through the school.

Snack time is shared with other children and includes conversation about food and healthy eating. Chartwells supplies nursery hot lunches, ordered through the my child app. Snacks and lunches carry separate charges.

For additional needs, the school’s SEND team includes a specialist teacher and teaching assistants trained in Elklan speech and language support and Learn to Move. Parents can discuss progress with the SENCo. These are school-wide support roles, so a conversation about the individual child’s needs is the useful starting point.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through their local authority’s normal admissions process and meet its normal deadline. School applications go through Dorset or Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole admissions, as appropriate.

Preparation for the next stage happens separately from admissions. Nursery staff work with the Reception team, introducing familiar routines such as carpet spots for group stories and songs. Listening activities and the pictures and rhymes associated with Read Write Inc. also create continuity in learning. Familiarity with routines can support the transition; it does not secure admission.

Morning, afternoon and all-day sessions run Monday to Friday during term time. For three- and four-year-olds, opening hours extend from 7:45am to 5:30pm, including wraparound options. Two-year-olds have an 8:45am to 3:15pm opening window. School holidays require another childcare arrangement.

For three- and four-year-olds, funding starts in the term after the third birthday: up to 15 hours universally, with up to 30 hours for eligible families. The nursery allows up to six funded hours daily and requires attendance of at least 15 hours weekly. Ask the school for current charges. A deposit is credited to the nursery account after starting, and shorter attendance within a booked session does not reduce its charge.

Enquiries go to office@wimbornefirst.dorset.sch.uk or 01202 882532. Parking. Car park access is restricted between 8:30am and 9:10am and between 2:45pm and 3:30pm, except for Blue Badge holders or families with an approved pass. Allow for walking onto the site at these times.