Musbury Primary School Nursery Review

A sensory garden, bug hotels and Forest School give Musbury’s nursery an outdoor thread. Children can join from two years old, in a separate building within the primary school’s grounds. The provision brings the former Musbury Moles preschool into the school as Musbury Nursery, with places offered from September 2026.

The wider school site covers two and a half acres beside the church in the Axe Valley. For parents, the distinction is useful: this is nursery provision with its own building, on a shared school site.

Play shapes the early years curriculum. Themes connect activities across the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which brings together language, movement, relationships and early learning. Its seven areas include understanding the world, literacy and mathematics, alongside creative expression and children’s physical, social and emotional development. The school aims to help children become confident and independent through this approach.

Outdoors, the detail is appealingly concrete. Children build homes for bugs, take part in Forest School and use the sensory garden for pretend cooking. These activities give them things to investigate and talk about, connecting play with exploration of their surroundings. Recycling and upcycling also feature from a young age; the school holds an Eco School Green Flag award.

Reading and phonics are a focus of the nursery’s development. The school intends this to support the later move into Reception, giving early language and reading a place alongside practical exploration.

Social and emotional development is part of the school’s early years approach, rather than an add-on to learning. The school aims to work with parents as children develop independence and confidence. It describes the nursery team as highly qualified.

For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the school has a special educational needs coordinator with a postgraduate qualification in the role. A Family Support Worker is also part of the wider school team. These provide distinct routes for discussing learning needs and family support.

Safeguarding procedures extend to adults using the main school building: parents and visitors sign in at the office, and visitor lanyards distinguish those requiring supervision. This gives families a concrete picture of access controls on the shared site.

Attending Musbury Nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process; Devon County Council provides the online application route. Treat that application as a separate step in your plans.

The nursery’s planned reading and phonics focus is preparation for the next stage of learning. It should be understood separately from the allocation of a school place.

Childcare follows school terms and operates within school opening hours. This matters for families organising care across the year: plan around the school calendar.

Funded hours depend on eligibility. All three- and four-year-olds qualify for the 15-hour entitlement from the term following their third birthday until school starts. Eligible working families may receive 30 hours, subject to the child’s circumstances, parental income and immigration status. A separate scheme can provide eligible two-year-olds with 15 hours.

For nursery enquiries or a visit, contact the school office at admin@musbury-primary.devon.sch.uk or 01297 552687. The office handles enquiries between 8am and 3pm, Monday to Friday. Contact the school for current charges.