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Nursery at St Edburg's Church of England (VA) 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Play, conversation and growing independence shape nursery life at St Edburg's, with indoor and outdoor spaces shared across its Early Years Unit. The nursery belongs to St Edburg's Church of England (VA) School in Bicester. It sits in the Lower School on Ludlow Road, OX26 1EU, rather than at the Pioneer Way site.
Children can start in September following their second birthday, although most join in September after turning three. There is a single September intake. Families can choose a 15-hour place spread across five mornings or five afternoons; some 30-hour places are also offered. That makes the weekly pattern a central part of the choice.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum covers seven learning areas. Nursery gives greatest emphasis to communication and language, physical development, and personal, social and emotional development. In parent terms, talking, moving and learning to manage feelings and relationships take priority alongside the other areas of learning.
The Characteristics of Effective Learning guide the approach: children explore through play, keep trying and develop their own ideas. Activities allow different responses rather than a single prescribed result. Children undertake projects together, and their interests help shape the curriculum. The school aims to encourage independence, reflection and the confidence to learn from mistakes. For a young child, the emphasis is on how to learn as well as what to learn.
Shared indoor and outdoor learning spaces connect Nursery with Reception within the Early Years Unit. In February 2022, Ofsted found that early-years children combined independent activities with work alongside others effectively, and approached learning positively. Those findings concern early years within the school, rather than a separate nursery judgement.
For children with a 30-hour place, lunch forms part of the day at school. Families can provide a packed lunch or book a charged school meal in advance. Nursery lunchtime runs from 11:30am to noon, giving the longer day a clear midday break.
Meals are cooked in the school kitchen, with three choices each day and daily provision of fruit, vegetables and salad. Allergies and other dietary requirements need to be passed to the school. Packed lunches must exclude nuts and sesame seeds, and drinks are limited to water. These are practical rules to build into the morning routine.
Parents can speak directly with class teachers at collection and drop-off when possible, or arrange an appointment by phone or email. ParentPay carries the main school messages, while teachers also communicate through Class Dojo. This gives families both a route for quick conversations and channels for messages between sessions.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. For the September 2026 intake, Oxfordshire parents applied online through Oxfordshire County Council, with a deadline of 15 January 2026. That deadline has passed.
Sharing indoor and outdoor spaces with Reception provides continuity in the learning environment. It should be considered separately from the allocation of school places: familiar surroundings do not remove the need to apply again.
Nursery applications go directly to the school. For enquiries about available places and applying, email admissions@st-edburgs.oxon.sch.uk.
All three- and four-year-olds have a universal entitlement to 15 funded hours, which requires no funding code. For funding that does require a code, parents must obtain it and supply it before their child starts. Sessions outside a child's funding are charged, with invoices issued monthly ahead of attendance. Contact the school for current charges.
Collection changes need to be reported to the teacher or school office so the alternative adult can be authorised. Nursery uniform information is provided for families; the school colours include burgundy, with a white polo shirt and grey bottoms. Name each garment to help it find its way back to your child.
Children can join in September after their second birthday, though most start in September after their third birthday. There is one September intake.
The 15-hour options are five mornings or five afternoons each week. Some 30-hour places are also offered.
No. Reception requires a separate application. For September 2026 entry, Oxfordshire parents applied through Oxfordshire County Council by 15 January 2026; that deadline has passed.
Children eat lunch at school. Parents can supply a packed lunch or book a charged school meal in advance.
Email admissions@st-edburgs.oxon.sch.uk for information about available places and how to apply.
