Elm Academy Nursery Review

A rhyme and a story give each week its focus at Elm Academy’s nursery, while play gives children room to follow their interests. The provision caters for up to 30 children from age 3 within the primary academy on Holloway Avenue, Bournemouth. It is a school nursery with its own class teacher and nursery staff, rather than a separate childcare provider.

At the Ofsted inspection on 7 and 8 January 2025, early years provision was graded Good. That judgement covers the academy’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery. For families, the more distinctive details are the emphasis on language, a key person allocated before starting, and opportunities to share children’s learning from home.

Play leads the nursery’s approach to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). In practice, children learn outdoors and inside, with adults supporting activities children choose themselves as well as organising focused learning. Staff use children’s interests and observations of their development to plan what comes next. Adult modelling, guided groups and direct teaching sit alongside play, so choosing an activity does not mean learning alone.

Language gets daily attention through singing, nursery rhymes and conversations about books. A weekly story and rhyme provide a shared focus, which parents can follow through Tapestry. In January 2025, nursery children enjoyed recounting stories they knew and repeating rhymes. Read Write Inc phonics begins in the nursery’s summer term, introducing the relationship between sounds and written letters.

Classrooms have a Zones of Regulation board, which children learn to use to help manage their feelings, including when verbal communication is difficult. Outdoor play is part of the curriculum too: wellies are among the items families bring. The balance is between learning with adult help and trying things independently.

Early writing. In January 2025, too many children in early years had not secured effective pencil grip and accurate letter formation. Handwriting teaching methods were insufficiently defined, slowing progress towards fluent writing. This is a useful point for parents to keep in mind alongside the emphasis on stories and phonics.

Every child has a key person assigned before their first session. That adult helps with settling, adjusts care and learning to the child, and arranges focused activities. Starting arrangements include home visits, parent workshops, Stay & Play and an All About Me activity completed at home. These give staff and families opportunities to exchange information before nursery routines take over.

Communication continues through daily conversations with practitioners. Tapestry carries photographs, videos and notes about nursery experiences, and parents can contribute observations from home. Nursery Learning Journeys are also sent half-termly, giving families another way to follow the learning.

For children staying for lunch, families bring a named lunchbox. The nursery is nut free, so food containing nuts must stay out of packed lunches. A labelled water bottle and spare uniform are needed for each session.

Support for additional needs includes a SEND team working with families, staff and outside professionals across pre-school and school. Parents should raise concerns with the class teacher first. Communication and language are assessed on entry, with WellComm and NELI among the early years support programmes. This links the language emphasis to individual support.

Attending Elm’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process, handled by BCP Council, and meet the normal deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as separate decisions.

Transition support includes Stay & Play, home visits, parent workshops and All About Me activities for entry to Reception. These help adults get to know the child; they do not secure admission.

Elm accepts government funding for 15 hours and 30 hours, beginning in the term after a child turns 3. To enquire about a nursery place or arrange a tour with the nursery class teacher, call 01202 574212. Nursery applications can be handed to the main office or sent by email to elm@ea.weareauthentic.education. The nursery also has a direct telephone number, 01202 022055.

Nursery clothing consists of an Elm PE t-shirt and jumper, with navy or black bottoms, a skirt or a navy summer dress. Shoes or trainers must cover the toes. Bring weather-appropriate clothing, wellies and a bag containing spare uniform; in warmer weather, add sun cream and a sun hat. Label belongings clearly to help keep track of them.