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Nursery at Southwold Primary 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Welly Wednesday, Foraging Friday and stories made with puppets give Southwold’s nursery a character built around outdoor discovery and talk. This is the nursery within Southwold Primary School in Bicester, with separate provision for children aged two to three and three to four within its early years unit. The age groups have different garden entrances, giving families a clear route to their child’s class.
Small-group work is part of nursery life. Staff use it to get to know children and their families and plan around individual learning needs. That makes the relationship between home and nursery part of the teaching, rather than simply an exchange at collection.
Play carries much of the learning. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together seven connected areas, combining language, physical skills and relationships with literacy, maths, creative expression and exploration of the world. Activities draw on books, themes and children’s interests, with practical number work woven into the daily curriculum.
Little Wandle provides the phonics approach, but nursery children’s work centres on listening: daily stories, rhymes, music and Sound Games help them notice sounds. Tales Toolkit gives children opportunities to invent stories, while Wellcomm sessions support language in small groups. A book goes home each week and is also shared in class, so families can continue the conversation around familiar characters and pictures.
The outdoor classroom and gardens extend the learning space. Gardens are used throughout the year, with Welly Wednesday and Foraging Friday encouraging children to observe the natural world. Indoors and outside, children make marks with materials such as chalk and wallpaper rolls. Maths equipment and loose parts turn quantities and patterns into things they can handle and investigate. Mini PE sessions take nursery children into the hall.
At the March 2025 inspection, children in early years adapted readily to routines and worked cooperatively; support for language and opportunities to explore numbers were effective. Nursery stories and songs also helped children begin connecting letters with sounds.
Preparation starts before the first session. Early years families have opportunities for school play dates, a park picnic and a morning with their new class. Tapestry records children’s learning and allows families to share achievements from home. Twice-yearly parents’ evenings and classroom learning showcases provide further opportunities to discuss progress.
Lunch takes nursery children to the school hall, followed by play in their own Nursery Garden. Families should provide a named water bottle and a fruit snack; fresh water is available in the unit. Children also have access to the government fruit, vegetable and milk scheme. Spare clothes are requested, and families whose child is not toilet-trained can agree care arrangements with the class teacher.
Early years children use the Sensory Room and Well Being Suite. Adult supervision accompanies sensory-room sessions, either individually or in small groups. The SENCO coordinates support for additional needs, and parents can discuss progress with teaching staff and the SENCO. These arrangements give families routes to discuss both learning and care.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Oxfordshire County Council’s admissions service using the normal application route and deadline.
Preparation for the next stage is a separate matter. New school starters are offered several visits to their Reception class, with a teacher home visit beforehand. These opportunities help children become familiar with their next classroom and give parents time to discuss their child before the move.
Monday to Friday, the 15-hour pattern runs from 9am to noon and the 30-hour pattern from 9am to 3pm. Two-year-olds attend from 9am to noon; the three- and four-year-old class also accommodates children staying until 3pm. Nursery entry can begin in the term after a child’s second birthday, with applications handled by the school office. School tours can also be arranged through the office.
Bring named wellies, waterproof clothing and a change of clothes. Children wait in their class garden until opening time; younger children use the entrance by the pencil fence, while the older nursery group turns left through the main office entrance. Collection by an authorised adult other than a parent or guardian requires the family’s chosen code word, as does dismissal by a supply teacher.
A weekly voluntary contribution supports cooking, craft activities and treats. Contact the school for current charges.
There is separate provision for two- to three-year-olds and three- to four-year-olds. Children can start in the term following their second birthday.
The 15-hour pattern is 9am to noon, Monday to Friday; the 30-hour pattern is 9am to 3pm. The two-year-old class finishes at noon.
No. A separate application is required through Oxfordshire County Council’s admissions service, using the normal route and deadline.
Discuss care arrangements with the class teacher and provide spare clothing.
Tapestry records learning and allows families to contribute from home. Parents’ evenings take place twice a year, and learning showcases let families spend time in the classroom.
