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  • Nursery

    Welcome to The Flying Bull Nursery

    At our nursery, we create a welcoming and stimulating learning environment where children feel safe, valued, confident and inspired to discover the world around them. Every child is valued, supported, and free to be themselves.

    Meet the Staff

    Our nursery team is led by two part-time qualified teachers who oversee teaching and learning in line with the EYFS framework. They work closely with the nursery team to ensure high standards of care, effective assessment, and a well-planned, engaging curriculum meeting the needs of all children.

    Nursery Admission

    We are delighted that you are considering our nursery for your child’s early education. Please call the office to arrange a visit to our nursery. From September 2026, we will be organising a home visit.

    Places Available

    2-Year-Old Places

    Available the term after your child turns 2

    • 5 morning session places
    • 5 afternoon session places

    3-4 Year-Old Universal Places

    Available the term after your child turns 3

    30-Hour Funded Places

    Limited availability (up to 8 places)

    Session Times

    Morning Session: 8:30am - 11:35am

    Afternoon Session: 12:15pm - 3:20pm

    Admissions Process

    Admission to the nursery is subject to:

    • A completed nursery application form
    • Providing proof
    • Availability of places
    Funding Information

    Working Parents 2 -Year-Old Funding Entitlement:

    Eligible children will require a valid funding code when applying. (Portsmouth City Council Funding Code link)

    Synergy - Enquiry

    Help Paying for Childcare: Find out what Yapproved childcareY is - GOV.UK

    Free for Two Funding:

    Children that are eligible for FF2 funding will be admitted on/after their second birthday. Parents/Carers must apply for funding via Synergy - Enquiry

    Children will not be able to start Nursery until this funding has been secured. Once placed on roll in the Nursery, they will automatically be entitled to take up a 3-year-old place, which begins the term after their third birthday.

    30 Hour Funding

    Families eligible for 30-hour childcare must provide a valid 30-hour funding code.

    In accordance with EYFS and our equality policy, we are committed to inclusive practice and ensuring that all children, regardless of background or need, have equal access to nursery provision.

    If you would like to apply for a place or require further information, please contact us or request an application form.

    Oversubscription Criteria

    Where the number of applications exceeds the number of available places, admissions will be allocated in accordance with the nursery’s fair and transparent oversubscription criteria:

    Priority will be given to:

    1. Children who are looked after.
    2. Children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disability where the nursery can meet those needs.
    3. Children who have siblings in the school.
    4. Children living within the catchment area.
    5. Children in order of application date.

    The Nursery reserves the right to consider exceptions, social and medical needs on a case-by-case basis, supported by appropriate professional evidence.

    Please note, admission to Flying Bull Nursery does not guarantee admission to the Reception class. Applications for Reception must be made on a separate application and submitted to Portsmouth City Council by the statutory deadline.

    Right to Withdraw a Place

    After a place has been offered, the Nursery reserves the right to withdraw the place in the following circumstances:

    • When a parent/carer has failed to respond to an offer within a reasonable time.
    • When a parent/carer has failed to notify the school of important changes to the application information.
    • The admission authority offered the place based on a fraudulent or intentionally misleading application from a parent.
    • When a parent fails to provide a copy of their child’s birth certificate/passport.
    • If a child does not attend their allocated Nursery session for 2 consecutive weeks (10 school days), unless previously agreed with the Nursery.

    Our Daily Routines

    Our Daily Routines

    8:30am

    12:15pm

    Drop off
     

    (During this time the staff will warmly welcome children and support them to settle into the nursery environment. )

    During this time:

    • Children are supported in self-registration.
    • Staff share stories and read with children to promote a love of books.
    • Home lending books are exchanged
    • Fine motor skill activities are available to support early development.
    • Puzzles and opportunities for mark-making and early writing are available.
    • Handwriting practice, where appropriate, will take place.

    9:00am

    12:45pm

    Whole group carpet time:

     

    • Welcome Song
    • Story
    • Nursery Rhymes or introduction to the topic
    • Adult-led learning – Little Wandle Phonics and Funky Fingers

    9:15am

    1:00pm

    Child-led learning

    During this time, the children are encouraged to explore their interests, make choices, and develop independence within a carefully planned environment.

    Alongside child-initiated experiences, we provide planned adult-led activities to introduce new skills, knowledge and concepts.

    Where needed, targeted interventions will also take place.

    Snack bar will open at 10.10am and 1.50pm.

    We offer a healthy and varied snack bar to support children’s wellbeing and promote positive eating habits.

    Typically, children are provided with:

    • Fresh fruit
    • Milk
    • Water

    At times, we also offer

    • Toast
    • Sandwiches
    • Breadsticks

    Children are supported to be independent by:

    • Washing their hands before snack
    • Select and prepare a snack (Spread butter on toast)
    • Pour drinks
    • Wash up afterwards

    11:00am

    2:40pm

    Tidy up

    Bucket Time (Targeted intervention)

    Number time

    11:15am

    2:55pm

    Story

    Music

    Reflection

    Goodbye Song

    11:30am

    3:15pm

    Soft finish

    Lunch Time

    (11:00am or soon after the morning snack)

    30-hour funded children will have lunch just in the Nursery supervised by a paediatric first-aider.

     

    11:30am they will stay in the Nursery for playtime. This will be supported by a lunchtime supervisor.

    Curriculum Newsletters

    Our Curriculum Newsletters:

    At Flying Bull Nursery, we provide a calm, nurturing and stimulating learning environment with our indoor and outdoor spaces offering excellent opportunities for high-quality learning experiences.  The team encourages children to learn through play, build friendships, and develop confidence every day.

    We follow the statutory framework and the non-statutory guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage (Development Matters).

    Partnership With Parents

    Partnership With Parents

    We believe that strong partnerships with parents are at the heart of high-quality childcare.  Our aim is to ensure you feel confident, comfortable and fully involved in your child’s experience with us.  We recognise that you know your child best, and we value your knowledge, insight and contributions.  Working together, we can provide the best possible care and support your child’s development.

    We offer many opportunities for information to be shared about your child.

    • Initial meeting. (Home Visits to start September 2026)
    • Half-termly ‘Stay and Play’ sessions.
    • Seesaw Learning Journey – A secure platform used by staff and parents to enhance the curriculum by sharing children’s learning experiences.
    • Termly parent meetings.
    • An open-door policy, where you are always welcome to talk to us.
    • Parent questionnaires.

    Achieving Positive Behaviour

    Achieving Positive Behaviour

    At Flying Bull Nursery, we promote manners and positive behaviour. We encourage the children to care for each other, be kind and respect everyone and everything.

    SEND

    Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)

    Our nursery values each child as an individual and we are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where every child can thrive.

    Our approach to SEND includes: 

    • Early Identification: We observe and assess children’s development to identify any additional needs as early as possible. 
    • Tailored Support: Individual plans are created to meet each child’s unique needs, ensuring they can access all areas of learning. 
    • Collaboration: We work closely with parents, carers, and external professionals to provide consistent and effective support. 

    Staff Training: Our team receives ongoing training to ensure best practice in supporting children with SEND.

    Learning Environment