St Leonard's Church of England Primary School Nursery Review

Movement and talk give this nursery its character. Children practise motor skills through squiggle while they wiggle, while adults use carefully chosen language to help them communicate. The nursery belongs to St Leonard's Church of England Primary School on Overthorpe Road in Banbury, within the school's early years provision.

In April 2026, Ofsted judged early years to meet the Expected standard. Children were content and secure, with familiar routines supporting their growing independence. This is a nursery where learning to make choices and manage feelings sits alongside preparation for reading.

Stories and rhymes shape the learning. Activities combine children's own choices with ideas introduced by adults and teaching directed by staff. Planning responds to what children already understand, their interests and the skills they need next. That gives children room to pursue an interest while adults extend their learning.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach draws on Development Matters for EYFS 2023. In everyday terms, the emphasis includes communicating, becoming independent and learning to cooperate. Animal characters help children recognise habits that support learning, making those ideas more concrete for young children.

Squiggle while they wiggle develops both larger movements and finer control. Communication receives close attention too: adults demonstrate language deliberately, focus their conversations on individual needs and check whether those interactions help. These exchanges inform what staff teach next.

The school has spacious grounds for exploring the surrounding environment. Alongside this physical space, stories provide a starting point for activities. There is a reading concern to keep in view: in April 2026, early years reading progress was becoming more consistent following changes to phonics teaching, but gaps persisted, especially for disadvantaged children.

Familiar routines help children practise independence and cope with their emotions. In April 2026, early years staff understood children's needs and adjusted activities for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Support is therefore connected to participation in the nursery's learning.

WellComm is used in early years to check for possible speech and language needs, then identify individual activities to develop communication. Emotional learning also uses Zones of Regulation across the school, with the RULER approach helping children recognise and understand feelings before learning to regulate them. These give families concrete approaches to discuss with staff.

Site security includes fencing and keypad access to external doors other than the main entrance. Visitors sign in and have identification checked at reception. These arrangements control access to the school site.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Oxfordshire County Council, using its online application route at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk. The normal deadline is in January. Treat that application as a separate task, even when your child already attends the nursery.

Morning sessions run from 8.30am to 11.30am; afternoons are from 12.15pm to 3.15pm. The Nursery 30 Hrs pattern runs from 8.30am to 3.15pm, with lunch between 11.30am and 12.15pm. Those different finishing times matter when arranging collection.

Early Years Pupil Premium supports eligible nursery children's learning. Eligibility is checked automatically when children start. Possible uses include books or maths materials for home, additional adult help and assistance with uniform or equipment.

The School Office handles enquiries and can arrange a visit to meet staff and look around. Contact 01295 262507 or office.3262@st-leonards.oxon.sch.uk.