Roe Lee Park Primary School Nursery Review

A purpose-built nursery with continuous access to outdoor space gives Roe Lee Park’s youngest children a setting designed around their learning. Staff helped design the building to suit the provision. That practical detail matters: outdoor activity is part of the learning environment, rather than simply a separate break from the classroom.

There are 52 nursery places, divided between 26 morning places and 26 afternoon places. The nursery belongs to the school’s Foundation Stage unit, alongside Reception. Its stated aims include building children’s confidence and creativity, helping them persevere and encouraging an enjoyment of learning.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together seven areas of development. Here, that means learning to communicate and build relationships alongside movement, early reading and writing, and mathematical understanding. Children also explore the world around them and develop their imagination through creative work. The emphasis extends beyond preparation for lessons: managing feelings and developing independence are part of the curriculum too.

Topic-based planning connects these areas. Language work includes speaking, understanding and paying attention; mathematics covers numbers and patterns. Physical development addresses both larger movements and smaller hand movements, while creative learning includes making things with materials and imaginative expression. These give parents concrete points of reference for understanding what early learning involves.

In February 2023, the early years curriculum used stories to strengthen communication and language. This helped children starting with less developed language skills catch up with other children. Stories therefore had a specific teaching purpose, alongside their appeal to young listeners.

Outings and visiting guests extend the early years learning programme during the year. Parents are also invited to join learning events. Together with the nursery’s accessible outdoor area, these experiences broaden learning beyond activities inside the classroom.

A class teacher leads the nursery. The setting aims to work with families, building on the learning children have already done at home. Classroom displays show topics and activities, giving parents a practical connection between conversations at home and learning in the setting.

Nursery staff are working towards Smile 4 Life accreditation. The programme promotes oral health, healthy eating and wellbeing. This is work towards accreditation, rather than an award already achieved, and gives the nursery’s attention to health a named focus.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Treat that application as a distinct task when planning your child’s next stage.

Educational continuity is a separate benefit. Nursery and Reception staff work closely within the Foundation Stage unit to connect children’s learning as they move on. That collaboration concerns progression in learning; it does not secure admission.

Morning sessions run from 8:45am to 11:45am; afternoon sessions run from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. These are two distinct session patterns, so the start and finish times are useful anchors for organising family routines.

The nursery offers the free 30-hour entitlement for working parents. Contact the school office for information about this offer. For a nursery application form or to arrange a look around, call 01254 56297. Visits provide an opportunity to consider the purpose-built space and outdoor access alongside the session pattern that suits your family.