Wilkinson Primary School Nursery Review

Songs, sound games and conversations give Wilkinson’s nursery its character. Children practise listening and language through play, while adults add words that help them explain what they are doing. This is the school’s own early years provision in Bradley, Bilston, with Terrific for Twos alongside Nursery.

Ofsted’s February 2026 judgement for early years was Expected standard. The early years findings describe children learning across the seven curriculum areas from the two-year-old provision, with particular emphasis on emotions, relationships and independence. Learning how to use equipment and follow room routines gives the youngest children a practical starting point.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning to communicate, move and manage feelings with early reading, number work, creativity and understanding the world. Structured activities sit alongside play, with adults working individually with children and with groups. That gives children opportunities both to pursue an interest and to practise something with adult help.

Language runs through the day. Adults describe children’s activities and introduce vocabulary connected to the task; songs and games with sounds prepare nursery children for later phonics learning. In February 2026, children responded well to this spoken modelling. Staff also used play to revisit learning, then planned group activities to practise skills or tackle gaps.

Indoor and outdoor learning spaces support exploration and imaginative play. Puzzles, small tools and art activities develop hand control, while pebbles and ten frames make number ideas tangible. Outdoors, children have opportunities to engage with nature. These experiences connect physical activity, conversation and early mathematical thinking.

A November 2025 firefighter visit brought a concrete example of working life to Nursery and Terrific for Twos. Children explored the fire engine and tried its hose. In December 2025, a family letter-writing activity involved cutting out catalogue pictures, adding labels and writing names. Both examples show how practical experiences can give children something to discuss and a reason to make marks.

Family participation extends into learning: the February 2026 early years findings describe a weekly read with me session for parents and children. Sharing a book together gives families a direct way to take part in their child’s school experience.

Support can include sensory resources, visual prompts and adapted activities. The early years approach uses observations to adjust tasks, language and pace, with families and specialists involved in planning support. This makes participation the focus, rather than expecting every child to tackle an activity in the same way.

Daily fruit is provided for early years children, so families do not need to send snacks. Milk is free until the term following a child’s fifth birthday, and classroom water is available. Parents must tell the school about allergies so an alternative fruit can be arranged.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions.

The nursery’s sound games and songs prepare children for the next stage of reading instruction. That preparation concerns learning; it does not secure admission.

Morning Nursery and T42’s sessions run from 8:30am to 11:30am; afternoon sessions run from noon to 3pm. These are distinct session patterns, so the collection time matters when planning work or other childcare.

Collection takes place at the Nursery Gate or the T42s’ building. Children leave with adults the school recognises; parents must telephone the office if someone different will collect them. For enquiries, contact the school on 01902 558971 or email wilkinsonprimaryschool@wolverhampton.gov.uk.