Compass Point Primary School Nursery

Long stretches of play, daily small-group teaching and Forest School give Compass Point’s nursery its character. This is the school’s Owl class, on South Street in Bedminster, Bristol, with an open-plan nursery space incorporated into a front extension in 2015. The emphasis is on children developing their own ideas while adults help them build language, independence and relationships.

At the Ofsted inspection on 2 and 3 November 2022, nursery children enjoyed conversation, songs and stories, with language development beginning in the nursery. That is a useful picture of the provision’s starting point: talking and listening belong within everyday activity.

Children have sustained time to choose and develop their play, alongside adult-directed activities and a daily teaching group. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) gives this a clear focus: learning to communicate, developing physical skills and understanding themselves and other people. These priorities make the day about more than early reading and number work.

A mastery approach gives children time to deepen their understanding and return to an interest or project. Adults observe play, introduce resources and extend children’s thinking. Storytelling and role play provide opportunities to practise vocabulary, while rhymes and traditional tales introduce stories from different cultures. Families are invited to share celebrations, giving children connections between home life and learning.

Indoor and outdoor play are both part of the curriculum. Physical activities and tools support large movements and finer hand control; Forest School takes place within the grounds and elsewhere, led by a specialist. Visits to local shops, the library and parkland connect learning with familiar places. The nursery day therefore extends beyond its classroom.

Emotional understanding has a named approach: The Zones of Regulation helps children recognise feelings, discuss them and work on managing their responses. Independence also gets practical attention through toileting and choices about healthy eating. These are everyday skills children can practise alongside their play.

Class Dojo profiles bring together photographs, work and observations, with parents contributing too. This creates a connection between learning at nursery and experiences at home. Nursery teaching includes an early years lead, while the wider early years team includes learning support assistants and an early years practitioner.

For children needing additional support, early years teaching uses adaptations and guided steps so children can learn together. Families can raise concerns with the class teacher; the school also works with health, education and social care professionals and can refer children for specialist help.

Children staying for lunch can bring a healthy packed lunch or have a school meal booked through ParentPay. School lunches carry an additional charge unless the child qualifies for free school meals. Lunch is separate from the additional childcare booking, so families need to plan both parts.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate school application through Bristol Local Authority’s admissions service, with a deadline of 15 January. Choosing the nursery and applying for Reception are distinct decisions.

The nursery’s work on communication, managing feelings and self-care gives children skills to take into their next classroom. Those learning experiences should be considered separately from the allocation of a school place.

Morning nursery runs from 9am to noon; the afternoon runs from 1pm to 3.15pm. Provision follows school terms, excluding INSET days and school holidays. Children are allocated 15-hour places, with some 30-hour places for eligible children. Additional paid hours depend on space and staffing.

Extra nursery sessions require a signed parental agreement, with bookings submitted two weeks before the preceding term ends. Emergency or occasional sessions may be possible when space allows. Once a term’s booking is confirmed, cancellation and absence can still leave charges payable. Ask the school for current charges before committing.

Breakfast Club for nursery runs from 8am to 9am and requires booking; children must be dropped off before 8.30am to have breakfast. For enquiries, call 0117 3772340 or email enquiries@compasspoint.excalibur.org.uk. School tours can be arranged through the office.