Our Nursery Provision
Welcome to Eastfield's Nursery. We are extremely proud that our Nursery provision was graded Outstanding by Ofsted in 2023.
Children in our Nursery benefit from a rich, stimulating and engaging environment that encourages exploration, experimentation and discovery, both indoors and outdoors. We recognise that high-quality early experiences provide important foundations for future learning and are committed to giving every child the best possible start.
Children learn through a wide range of practical, hands-on experiences, including individual, small-group and whole-class activities. Our continuous provision gives children opportunities to make choices about their learning through purposeful play, while carefully planned adult-led and child-initiated activities provide appropriate support and challenge.
Our experienced practitioners develop children's learning through high-quality interactions throughout the day. They model and extend language, ask questions, demonstrate new skills and encourage children to think, explore and become increasingly confident and independent learners.
We get to know every child as an individual. Ongoing observations and assessment help practitioners identify children's strengths and next steps, enabling us to plan learning that responds to their interests and developmental needs.
At the end of Nursery, we consider children's development against the appropriate 3-to-4-year-old developmental checkpoints, helping us to identify their next steps and support a smooth transition into Reception.
Session Times and Funding
All 3 and 4-year-old children in England are entitled to 15 hours of funded early education each week, usually over 38 weeks of the year. Some families are eligible for additional funded childcare. Current government information about childcare support and eligibility can be found through Childcare Choices/Best Start in Life (Best Start in Life - Best Start in Life)
30-Hour Places
Monday to Friday: 8.45am to 3.15pm
15-Hour Places
Families can access their 15 hours through one of the following patterns:
• Mornings: Monday to Friday, 8.45am to 11.45am
• Afternoons: Monday to Friday, 12.15pm to 3.15pm
• Beginning of the week: Monday and Tuesday, 8.45am to 3.15pm, and Wednesday, 8.45am to 11.45am
• End of the week: Wednesday, 12.15pm to 3.15pm, and Thursday and Friday, 8.45am to 3.15pm
Additional Sessions
Families accessing 15 funded hours may request additional Nursery sessions, charged at £5.50 per hour, subject to availability.
• Additional sessions must be discussed and agreed with the Early Years Lead.
• Sessions are agreed on a termly basis to ensure appropriate staffing and groupings can be maintained.
• Additional sessions must be booked and paid for in advance on a half-termly basis through MCAS (MyChildAtSchool).
• Where a child joins during a half term, additional sessions may be arranged subject to availability and must be booked and paid for before they begin.
• Agreed sessions remain chargeable if a child is absent due to illness, holidays or other circumstances, as staffing is arranged in advance.
How to Apply
We would be delighted to welcome your child to Eastfield Nursery.
Parents and carers wishing to apply for a Nursery place can complete the online application form below.
We also welcome visits from prospective families, providing an opportunity for you and your child to see our Nursery environment and learn more about our provision.
Visit Our Nursery
We warmly welcome visits from prospective parents, carers and their children. A guided tour of our Early Years provision can be arranged by appointment, giving you the opportunity to meet our team, explore the environment and find out more about life at Eastfield Nursery.
If you have any questions or would like to talk to us about your child starting Nursery, please contact the Academy on 01469 572455. We are always happy to help.
Our Reception Provision
Welcome to Eastfield's Reception Class. We are extremely proud that our Reception provision was graded Outstanding by Ofsted in 2023.
Children in Reception benefit from a rich, stimulating and engaging environment that encourages exploration, experimentation and discovery, both indoors and outdoors. We recognise that high-quality experiences in the Early Years provide important foundations for future learning, and we are committed to giving every child the best possible start to their school journey.
Children learn through a carefully planned balance of adult-led learning, purposeful play and child-initiated activities. Learning opportunities are shaped by children's individual strengths and next steps, ensuring that they are appropriately supported and challenged.
Our experienced practitioners develop children's learning through high-quality interactions throughout the day. They model and extend language, ask questions, demonstrate new skills and encourage children to think, explore, problem-solve and become increasingly confident and independent learners.
Preparing for Year 1
Throughout the Reception year, we gradually support children to develop greater independence, confidence, resilience and positive learning behaviours. As the year progresses, experiences and routines evolve to reflect children's developing needs, helping to ensure a smooth and successful transition into Year 1.
Our aim is for children to leave Reception with strong foundations for future learning, a growing sense of independence and, most importantly, a love of learning.
Assessment in Reception
Throughout Reception, practitioners use their knowledge of each child, alongside observations and interactions, to understand their development and identify appropriate next steps.
At the end of Reception, children are assessed against the 17 Early Learning Goals (ELGs) across the seven areas of learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children are assessed as either'expected' or'emerging' for each Early Learning Goal.
A child is considered to have achieved a Good Level of Development (GLD) when they reach the expected level in the Early Learning Goals within:
• Communication and Language
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Physical Development
• Literacy
• Mathematics
These assessments help us celebrate children's achievements, identify their next steps and support a positive transition into Year 1.
Starting Reception
Starting school is an exciting milestone for children and families, and we work closely with parents and carers to make the transition to Eastfield as positive and successful as possible.
For further information about helping your child prepare for Reception, see below.