Melton Primary School Nursery

Strawberries from the allotment, movement after the morning greeting and a choice between indoor and outdoor play give Melton’s nursery day its own character. Owlets Class caters for children aged 3 and 4, with room for up to 15 children. It occupies a spacious room inside the school, with a secure outdoor area accessible throughout sessions.

An early years teacher works alongside Early Years Practitioners. This is a school-based nursery with a small capacity and opportunities for children to choose where they play. Ofsted’s January 2026 early years judgement was Needs attention: language development had clear strengths, while early writing practice and the purpose of independent activities needed work.

The morning begins with children putting away their things, gathering on the carpet and joining wake and shake. Adult-led phonics follows at 9.15am; a shared fruit or vegetable snack comes at 10.15am. Nursery rhymes at 10.30am precede a choice of outdoor or indoor activities, with an adult-led maths activity at 11.30am. That gives the morning a recognisable rhythm, alternating group activities with time to choose.

The allotment adds something tangible to snack time. Children sometimes harvest their own fruit or vegetables, including strawberries. Outdoor access continues through the session, so it is part of the learning space rather than simply a scheduled break. Afternoon activities follow the current topic, before stories and singing at 3pm and home time at 3.30pm.

Early years learning here includes conversation, stories, songs, phonics and mathematics. In January 2026, adults helped children extend their vocabulary and hold meaningful conversations; nursery children gained confidence in expressing ideas and needs. Familiar stories prompted enthusiastic talk about characters and funny plots. These are useful foundations for joining in and making themselves understood.

Early writing. In January 2026, opportunities to rehearse writing skills were inconsistent, and some independent activities lacked a clear learning purpose. Strengthening both was a priority. Families should weigh that concern alongside the strengths in communication.

Staff understand children’s stages of development and work with parents to adjust their experiences. In January 2026, established routines helped children manage feelings and behaviour, while additional staff training focused on communication and language. This connects care with the practical business of helping a child explain what they need.

Food has a place in the shared day. Alongside the morning fruit or vegetable snack, kitchen staff cook lunch daily with locally sourced ingredients, and children eat in the school hall. A cooked dinner is optional. Children eligible for free school meals still incur the separate lunchtime session charge, so meal entitlement and lunchtime care need to be considered separately.

For enquiries about special educational needs and disabilities, families can contact the SENDCo through the school office. Safeguarding concerns go to the Inclusion Team, which includes the designated safeguarding lead and alternative leads.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Suffolk County Council’s normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. After the local authority offers a school place, families complete Melton’s registration form through the office.

Induction sessions support children starting Reception. They help with the change of stage; they do not replace the admissions process.

Nursery runs during term time, Monday to Friday. Morning sessions are 9am to noon, with afternoons from 12.30pm to 3.30pm and a separate lunchtime session between them. Breakfast Club operates from 7.45am to 9am, and After School Club from 3.30pm to 5.30pm. Club bookings and payments use ParentPay; clubs exclude bank holidays and non-pupil days.

The 15 funded weekly hours begin in the term after a child’s third birthday and can be taken as five sessions across mornings, afternoons or both. Eligible children aged 3 and 4 can access up to 30 funded hours weekly, with funding applications required the preceding term. Extra hours, lunchtime care and clubs carry charges. Contact the school for current charges.

Nursery clothing should allow active play: trainers or similarly sensible shoes, with no sandals, skirts, dresses or strappy tops. Enquiries go to admin@melton.suffolk.sch.uk or 01394 382506. Families can request a tour using the visit form; nursery applications go to the office with the funding authorisation form and birth certificate.