Sharnbrook Primary Preschool Review

Conversation and learning to get along give Sharnbrook Primary’s preschool its clearest character. Penguins is the preschool class, part of the primary school on High Street in Sharnbrook. In June 2024, children in the early years were sharing, waiting their turn and learning to handle feelings and disagreements. Those are useful foundations for joining a group and taking part in its activities.

Children can begin at the beginning of the term in which they turn 2 years and 9 months, provided they are at least 2 years and 6 months on their starting day. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 12 and 13 June 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school.

Talking is a concrete part of learning here. In June 2024, staff were using frequent discussions in Nursery to build language and early literacy. For parents, this means the beginnings of reading include conversation: children developing the communication skills that support later learning.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the curriculum framework for the youngest children. Access to that curriculum extends to children with special educational needs and disabilities, with additional interventions planned where needed. Learning and support therefore belong together, rather than a child’s difficulties being treated separately from participation.

The preschool day begins at 08:55 and finishes at 15:00. Children are met in the playground at the start. These preschool-specific times give families a clear daily framework for arranging travel and collection.

For concerns about development, parents can speak to the class teacher first, then the special educational needs coordinator (SENDCo). Early years support can respond to concerns raised by either practitioners or parents, including communication difficulties, physical or sensory needs and persistent emotional difficulties. This gives families a route into a discussion before a concern becomes solely a classroom issue.

Across the school, individual support targets are reviewed with parents at least termly. A home-school contact book can also be used when agreed to be useful. The school has ramps and double doors for access between its different levels, plus two accessible toilets.

Medical care includes care plans where needed and annual staff training in personal care and administering medicines. Children’s dietary requirements are communicated to staff, with adjustments at snack and lunch times; parents are responsible for notifying medical needs.

Preschool attendance gives no priority for Reception and does not guarantee a place. Families must make a separate Reception application through their local authority’s normal admissions process. For Bedford enquiries, the admissions team can be contacted on 01234 718120.

For children with SEND moving between classes, transition support includes advance sharing of information, staff transfer meetings and planned transition days. A book explaining the change can be made if helpful. These arrangements support familiarity and continuity; they do not alter admission rights.

Attendance patterns can be flexible, provided they preserve continuity and stability for the children. If demand exceeds places, sessions per child may be restricted, but the minimum offer is 3 sessions. Funded children’s full entitlement takes precedence over allocating places to younger children.

Places are offered by term, with starts during a term reserved for exceptional circumstances. Families receive their placement decision by letter. For preschool enquiries, contact the school on 01234 781328 or email admin@sharnbrookprimary.beds.sch.uk.