Horwood and Newton Tracey Community Primary School Nursery

Bailey Wood gives this nursery a distinctive outdoor setting: a small woodland across the road from the school where Forest School sessions take learning beyond the classroom. Nursery children took part in Forest School in January and March 2026. This is the school's own nursery in Lovacott, Barnstaple, with outdoor exploration among its concrete attractions.

Early years provision was graded Good at the Ofsted inspection on 29 and 30 April 2025. That judgement covers the school's early years provision. In April 2025, children were learning to cooperate, wait for their turn and listen attentively, giving everyday social routines a clear place alongside classroom learning.

Practical activities give the Foundation Stage curriculum its character. In January 2025, Goldilocks and the Three Bears became both a tasting activity, with porridge and toppings, and a story children acted out in the role-play area. For Chinese New Year that month, children made lanterns, played in a restaurant setting and shared a themed snack. These examples connect stories and celebrations with things children can make, taste and enact.

March 2026 brought playdough, exploration of a farm theme and creative activity in the sand pit. The physical spaces matter here: the role-play area supports imaginative storytelling, while the sand pit provides another material for exploration. Forest School adds Bailey Wood to that mix, with practical experiences and opportunities to explore nature. A nursery and Reception outing to Rosemoor took place on 25 March 2026, extending the setting for learning beyond school.

The Early Years Foundation Stage, or EYFS, includes the beginnings of literacy here. Floppy's phonics is used across EYFS, linking sounds with early reading; its writing programme also supports early writing. Classroom reading areas contain books connected to learning themes. Alongside these literacy experiences, the April 2025 early years findings place listening and learning to share within children's daily development.

Emotional language has a practical example in the nursery. In September 2024, children used The colour monster story and matched coloured pompoms to their feelings. That gives a young child a concrete way to express an emotion, rather than relying only on words.

For families needing wider help, the school team provides a route into Early Help and other support. SEND signposting includes Children and Family Health Devon for speech and language resources and referrals.

School meals are prepared on site. The catering arrangements include a vegetarian choice each day, fruit and vegetables, and provision for allergies. The school is nut-free. These are school catering arrangements, rather than a promise of free nursery meals.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a fresh, separate application through Devon Admissions and meet the normal application deadline. Applications can be made online through Devon's admissions service.

Shared activities are a separate matter from admission: nursery children joined Reception children for Forest School in March 2026 and the Rosemoor outing that month. Those experiences bring children together; they do not secure a school place.

Nursery children use the bottom gate to enter school. To arrange a visit, call 01271 858373 or email admin@hntps.org. A visit provides an opportunity to see the learning spaces, including how indoor activities fit alongside outdoor exploration.

For current charges, contact the school directly. Keep the nursery decision and the later Reception application as two separate steps when planning your child's time here.