Little Conkers Nursery at St John's Priory School

Play, conversation and friendships shape Little Conkers, the nursery at St John's Priory School in Banbury. Children join from age 3, and the nursery belongs to the school's Pre-Prep department. It is part of an independent school, with early learning taking place within the wider school setting.

In February 2025, the nursery had 13 children on roll. That is a dated enrolment figure, rather than a capacity or promise of availability.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines planned learning with play. Here, adults use both to build children's speech, introduce vocabulary and help them communicate. In May 2024, the early years curriculum supported progress across children's learning, with staff adapting activities to individual needs. Assessment helped adults recognise when extra support was needed, so learning could respond to the child.

Indoor and outdoor activities give children opportunities to develop physically, socially and emotionally. The nursery's learning environment therefore extends beyond the classroom. In May 2024, nursery children formed positive friendships and had supportive relationships with adults, giving the activities a social purpose as well as a learning one.

Learning to take turns matters too. Adults help nursery children talk about feelings, understand behaviour and listen to others. These are practical foundations for playing together and managing friendships. The day also has a clear lunch point: Early Years children eat at noon, before the nursery day finishes at 3.20pm.

Familiarity can begin before a child joins. Come and Play mornings welcome children aged 2 to 4 who do not yet attend Little Conkers, with a parent or carer remaining responsible for them. The themed sessions introduce the nursery environment and staff, giving families a way to build familiarity together. The Head of Early Years also leads the nursery and is available for questions during these mornings.

Settling sessions are offered across the Little Conkers Early Years department, with arrangements adapted to each joining child. Once children attend, school staff are available to parents before and after the school day throughout the week. Regular email updates provide another connection between home and school.

Meals are included in nursery fees. For additional learning needs, the school's support structure brings class teachers together with the Head of Learning Support; it can also draw on speech therapists and educational psychologists. The May 2024 early years findings described staff adjusting provision and recognising children who needed extra help.

Safeguarding. In May 2024, school safeguarding and leadership standards were unmet because internet filtering and monitoring were inadequate, although early years supervision and staffing ratios were appropriate. On 28 February 2025, ISI found safeguarding arrangements, including those for early years children, effective; the school met the standards considered, with internet filtering and monitoring in place.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Treat Reception as a separate application and contact the school's admissions team to pursue it, rather than assuming that nursery enrolment secures the next stage.

The school offers individual support with the move through its Little Conkers Early Years department. This care around transition should be kept separate from the question of securing admission.

Registration is at 8.35am, and nursery finishes at 3.20pm. Before School Club accepts children from 8.00am; After School Club is available from age 3 until 6pm. Those extensions give families options around the core school day.

For enquiries or a private tour, contact admissions@stjohnspriory.co.uk or call 01295 259607. Families can also register for Come and Play mornings. Ask the school for current charges. School uniform is compulsory, with clothing and kit supplied by Perry Uniform apart from footwear; every item of clothing must carry the child's name.