Ladybirds Nursery at Windrush Church of England Primary School

Child-led play and a large outdoor area give Ladybirds Nursery its character. Children can explore nature outside as well as use the nursery room, making outdoor learning part of the provision rather than simply a break from it.

Part of Windrush Church of England Primary School in Witney, the nursery caters for children aged two to four and accommodates 24 children per session. Its booking patterns distinguish between ages: two-year-olds attend mornings, while three- and four-year-olds can attend mornings, afternoons or full days. That distinction matters when matching a place to family routines.

At the February 2024 Ofsted inspection, early years provision was judged Good. This was an early years judgement within the school's inspection, rather than a separate nursery rating.

Play begins with children's own choices. Resources and equipment support them in developing skills and understanding the world through the Early Years curriculum. In parent terms, learning here happens through play and exploration, with children's interests helping to shape what they do.

The nursery room and large outdoor area provide two settings for that exploration. Nature is an explicit part of outdoor learning, giving children opportunities to investigate their surroundings beyond the room. The emphasis is on children taking an active part in their learning.

Session length changes the shape of attendance. A morning or afternoon lasts three hours; the full-day option runs from 9am to 3pm. Families choosing a full day also have a lunch decision: children may bring food from home or have a purchased hot meal supplied by Dolce.

Qualified, experienced nursery practitioners work with the children. In February 2024, adults were taking good care of nursery children, who had settled comfortably into school. That nursery-specific finding gives parents a useful picture of care and settling at that point in time.

Lunch has two options: a packed lunch or an optional hot school meal from Dolce. Families can therefore choose between providing their child's food and purchasing a meal.

Safeguarding procedures cover both school and nursery. Staff and volunteers receive child protection training, and recruitment checks are recorded centrally. The school also participates in Operation Encompass: police share information about police-attended domestic abuse incidents involving its children before the following school day, allowing staff to be informed about circumstances affecting a child.

A nursery place does not guarantee admission to Windrush's Reception class. Parents must make a separate application through Oxfordshire County Council's online admissions route at the appropriate time. Treat this as a separate step in planning your child's next year, rather than assuming nursery enrolment carries them through.

Provision runs during term time, for up to 30 hours each week. Morning sessions are 9am to noon; afternoons run from noon to 3pm. Optional paid extensions can bring attendance to 8.45am to 3.15pm. Ask the school for current charges.

Two-year-olds have a 15-hour morning pattern. From the term after a child turns three, families may request more hours, subject to session availability. Universal funding covers 15 hours from the term after the third birthday; the 30-hour funding option applies if both parents work. Funded entitlement does not guarantee that every requested session can be accommodated.

Nursery enquiries go directly to the school office at office@windrushschool.org. Expressions of interest are open for 2027, with September the main intake. The deadline for the following academic year is the final day of the current academic year's spring term.