Warfield Church of England Primary School Nursery Review

The Meadow gives Warfield’s nursery a green space of its own, alongside a covered outdoor learning area that children can use in wet weather. Inside, purpose-built classrooms include toilets and washbasins. The nursery belongs within Warfield Church of England Primary School on Sopwith Road, with its own access route: a distinct space within the larger school.

There are 29 places per session for children aged three and four. Children can start in the term following their third birthday, with September, January and April entry points subject to space. Families choose full-time attendance or five mornings or five afternoons each week.

Counting the children, discussing the weather and talking about the day begin the morning carpet gathering. A weekly topic then introduces play that children choose themselves, with adults joining in to question, model and extend their thinking. Small-group work brings listening games, nursery rhymes and simple maths games into that rhythm. Tidying together and a story or rhyme bring the morning to a close.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) connects learning to everyday development: talking and listening, movement, relationships and managing feelings, alongside early literacy, maths, creativity and discovering the world. Individual activities and group work respond to children’s interests. For maths, staff use Development Matters guidance to shape activities that develop understanding.

Afternoons include Book Talks, using a book linked to the topic to practise listening and conversation. Floor Books give children photographs of their own activities to discuss with an adult. These make the children’s experiences material for further talk. Outdoors, The Meadow provides room for physical development; supervised use of the school hall, field and playground extends the spaces they can explore.

At Ofsted’s March 2022 inspection, nursery children were developing the speaking and listening foundations for reading through songs and rhymes, and staff helped them learn routines and share resources. The inspection also identified a curriculum weakness extending from Nursery onwards: important knowledge and skills needed clearer definition in some subjects beyond English and mathematics. The wider school also needed more consistent checks of pupils’ understanding; this was a school-wide concern rather than a separate nursery judgement.

An Early Years teacher works with qualified Early Years practitioners. Small groups are planned by the teacher and led by nursery practitioners, while a key worker links each child’s care and learning with their individual needs. That role includes helping children settle, building contact with families and supporting learning at home.

Fruit and milk are offered during the morning. Children attending only the morning leave for lunch; afternoon children join those staying full time for lunch before returning to play. Toileting is treated as a developing self-care skill: the school works with parents on toilet training, and children should remain included in activities while learning it.

For additional needs, parents begin with the class teacher, with the SEND coordinator involved as support develops. Child Profiles and My Support Plans record needs, strategies and outcomes, with parents contributing to reviews. External services can include Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy, with parental agreement for referrals. In March 2022, early-years children were being helped to handle risks safely outdoors.

Nursery attendance neither guarantees a Reception place nor gives an application priority. Families must make a separate school application via the Schools Admissions Team at Bracknell Forest Council, following the normal application timetable. This is a separate decision from booking nursery sessions.

For children moving between classes within Warfield, transition arrangements include time with the new teacher in the new classroom, a transition leaflet and teacher handover meetings. Children with complex needs can have a transition review involving parents and relevant agencies. Familiarisation supports the change; it does not alter admissions entitlement.

Sessions run during term time, Monday to Friday: mornings are 9am to noon and afternoons noon to 3pm. Early drop-off and late collection are charged options. Additional attendance beyond funded hours can also incur charges; contact the nursery for current charges.

The nursery describes 15 funded hours from the term after a child turns three, with 30-hour funding for families meeting the eligibility criteria. Extended funding requires a valid code that parents obtain and validate each term. Funding does not guarantee a particular provider or attendance pattern.

Uniform is optional, comprising a navy jumper and royal blue polo shirt. Applications use the nursery website form; enquiries can go to nursery@warfieldprimary.co.uk or 01344 862074. Visits are invited in the nursery prospectus.