Milford Infants' School Nursery Review

Pouring milk, cutting fruit and joining familiar rhymes give Milford Pre-School its practical character. This is nursery provision for children aged 2 to 4 within Milford Infants' School, on Glenthorne Avenue in Yeovil. Sapling class is the named pre-school class, with learning organised around early communication, independence and play.

Ofsted's February 2026 inspection judged early years to meet the Expected standard. That judgement covers the school's early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery. Adult conversation, early number understanding and everyday routines were clear strengths within that finding.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) shapes the curriculum: learning responds to children's interests and brings together talking, problem-solving, managing feelings and playing with others. Milford aims to develop independent thinking through practical experiences. For a young child, that means learning involves doing and discussing, rather than simply listening.

Language gets daily attention. Supersonic Phonic Friends is the school's phonics scheme, and pre-school children begin with playful, repeated experiences of recognising and distinguishing sounds. EYFS Rhyme Time includes Hickory Dickory Dock and Hey Diddle Diddle in Sapling class. Familiar songs give children repeated chances to listen, remember and join in.

In February 2026, children aged 2 to 4 were developing familiarity with stories and picking up useful phrases. Pouring their own milk and slicing vegetables or fruit provided daily practice for small hand movements. These are ordinary tasks with a learning purpose.

In February 2026, the early years classroom supported revisiting phonics and number learning. During outdoor play, adults typically extended children's learning through conversation. The February 2026 findings also described confident discussion of numbers in pre-school, giving children foundations for their next stage.

A pre-school teacher leads the team, with a deputy who also holds the SENDCo role. Families have a key person to approach about communication concerns and toilet training. Once training begins at home, staff work towards a matching routine using child-sized toilets, visual reminders and regular opportunities to practise. Spare clothing, including socks, is requested. The pre-school expects children to be toilet trained before moving into its pre-school age group; families with concerns, including a diagnosed medical condition, should speak to the team early so a support plan can be arranged.

Parent contact includes termly key-person consultations, stay-and-play sessions, end-of-year reports and the SeeSaw learning journal. In February 2026, early years staff adapted activities successfully for children with SEND or other barriers, helping them participate alongside other children.

Meals come from apetito, with vegetarian choices and arrangements for religious or medical diets. Packed lunches are an alternative. They must exclude nuts and should travel in an insulated box with an ice pack because pre-school lunches are not refrigerated. Big Brush club also supports toothbrushing once daily while children are in care.

Attending Milford Pre-School does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through the normal Reception admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for school as separate decisions.

The useful preparation here is developmental: familiarity with routines, practice in conversation and growing understanding of numbers. These help children approach their next stage, but should not be confused with an admissions entitlement.

Opening hours are 8:30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. After-School Care Club accepts pre-school children, with sessions ending at either 4:30pm or 6pm. Bookings use a Microsoft Form and can cover a month, individual weeks or single days. Payment is required before the first session; same-day bookings made after noon require a call to the office.

For catered lunches, make your selections through Arbor at least two weeks ahead, meeting the Thursday midnight deadline so the catering team can plan orders.

To arrange a nursery visit and complete a waiting-list application, email office@milford-inf.somerset.sch.uk or call 01935 475426. Refer to the school for current charges.