Four Acres Academy Nursery Review

Puppets, story sacks and early conversation give Four Acres Academy’s nursery provision its character: language develops through play before formal reading takes centre stage. Caterpillars is the nursery group for children aged 2–3, with Dragonflies the pre-school group, both within the academy in Withywood, Bristol. Children can join in the term after their second birthday.

Ofsted rated the school’s early years provision Good at its inspection on 17 and 18 October 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school.

Listening and speaking are starting points here. Staff begin developing these skills when children join Nursery, giving them practice in communicating before the later demands of reading. In pre-school, children discuss stories and respond to questions about large pictures. Puppets, story sacks and role play then carry those ideas into play, so a story becomes something children can explore as well as hear.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) work also includes making marks with pencils and other tools. Children talk about what their marks mean, while opportunities to create lists, letters, captions and recipes give early writing a purpose. Staff model sentences for children to practise. Games and activities develop the larger movements and finer hand control needed for handwriting.

The Futura curriculum introduces children to acting as historians and scientists from Nursery onwards. This gives learning a practical identity: children practise the skills associated with a subject. In October 2023, consistent early years routines helped children respond promptly to instructions and develop their listening. Predictable expectations are part of the learning day.

For concerns about learning or wellbeing, the first contact is the class teacher. Families can also approach the school’s special educational needs coordinator through the office, with meetings offered in person, by telephone or virtually. That gives parents several ways to discuss support.

Across the school, support includes changes to lessons, additional help and adaptations to learning. The school aims to intervene early and reviews support as children’s needs change. Speech and language difficulties, autism and physical or learning needs are among the needs it supports.

Adaptations to learning. The October 2023 inspection identified inconsistent adjustments for some pupils with SEND across the school, allowing errors and misunderstandings to persist. This was a school-wide concern rather than a nursery-specific finding; families should discuss how activities will be adapted for their child.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application for September Reception entry through Bristol City Council’s website. Treat this as another application, rather than assuming the nursery place carries forward.

Keep the admissions decision separate from the nursery experience. The practical value of attending is the learning children receive during their time there; it should not be treated as a secured school place.

Pre-school finishes at 3.00pm, an important collection time when coordinating siblings or work. Contact the school office about places.

Families who think they qualify for a free place for a two-year-old are directed to Bristol City Council to check eligibility. Eligibility matters: this is a conditional route, rather than an offer to every child of that age.

For SEND enquiries, contact the office on 0117 903 0474 or email enquiries@fouracresacademy.org.uk. Raise learning or wellbeing concerns with the class teacher first.