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Nursery at Orchard Vale Community School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A large main room, an outdoor area used throughout the day and two shared forest school areas give Orchard Vale’s nursery a distinctly physical shape. Children have space to explore, move and return to activities, rather than spending the session on one task.
The nursery sits on the school site in Whiddon Valley, Barnstaple, with provision described for ages 0 to 4. It can currently accommodate 26 children per session, although that number may change with demand. An early years teacher works alongside a teaching assistant qualified at level 6, with mealtime assistants supporting lunch.
Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 10 and 11 May 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery inspection.
Continuous provision shapes the main room: activities remain accessible so children can develop their learning across the curriculum during the day. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines early learning with children’s development. Here, concrete examples include language through stories, physical exploration outdoors and learning about changes in the world around them.
Rhymes and familiar tales supported children’s recognition of letters in May 2023, followed by progress into phonics sounds. There was also a reading concern: some books did not fit pupils’ existing reading knowledge closely enough, affecting confidence and fluency. Matching reading material carefully to a child’s stage matters alongside introducing new sounds.
Outside, the nursery has its own area as well as access to two forest school spaces shared with the school. The wider grounds include a willow area for EYFS learning. These give outdoor activity a place within the learning day. Nursery PE sessions with the school’s PE champion add opportunities to practise both smaller movements and whole-body skills.
Early years history starts with changes in surroundings, people and objects, introducing vocabulary and encouraging questions. This gives young children familiar starting points for talking about past and present.
Settling can happen gradually. Attendance can be adjusted during the first few weeks, including starting with shorter visits and adding lunch later. Staff phone parents if a child is struggling, giving families a direct way to know when their child needs support.
Toileting is approached with parents, and children who use nappies have a changing area. Independence is the aim, with practical care provided while children develop those skills.
Lunch can be a packed meal from home or a hot dinner from the school kitchen, ordered and paid for through Arbor. Meals are cooked on site each day, and nursery children receive fruit or vegetables during the morning break. The school operates a no-nut rule; families with dietary requirements can discuss them with the kitchen manager.
For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the school uses adapted teaching and regularly reviews My Plans. Parents can raise concerns with their child’s teacher or contact the SEND coordinator through the school office. This provides a route for discussing support as needs emerge.
Attending Orchard Vale’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal school admissions process and meet its deadline. Devon County Council’s school admissions service is the route for Reception applications. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as separate decisions.
Morning sessions begin at 8:30 and finish at 11:30, or at 12:30 when lunch is included. A lunchtime session runs from 11:30 to 12:30; afternoon sessions run from 12:30 to 15:30. These distinct timings let families plan around whether their child stays for lunch.
The nursery accepts Working Entitlement funding for 30 hours. Targeted funding can provide up to 15 hours each week for eligible two-year-olds in Devon, starting in the term following their second birthday. Additional hours and hot dinners carry charges; contact the school for current charges.
At morning drop-off, parents use the nursery garden and help children organise their belongings. Afternoon collection is through the garden at 15:30, once staff open the gate. Midday arrivals and departures use the side door at 11:30 or 12:30, depending on lunch arrangements.
Nursery applications require a completed form and a copy of the child’s birth certificate. To enquire or arrange a visit, call 01271 375074 or email orchardvale@thsp.org.uk. School car parking is very limited, so allow for that when planning a visit.
The nursery can currently provide 26 places in a session, subject to change with demand.
Yes. Staff can adjust attendance during the first few weeks, including leaving before lunch initially and extending the time gradually.
Mornings run from 8:30 to 11:30, with an option to stay until 12:30 including lunch. Lunchtime is 11:30 to 12:30, and afternoons are 12:30 to 15:30.
Yes. A changing area is available, and staff work with parents to support toileting independence.
No. Families need to apply separately for Reception through the normal school admissions process and meet its deadline.
