Brixham Church of England Primary School Nursery Review

Play and exploration give Brixham C of E Pre-School its starting point. The nursery aims to combine a structured day with care for each child's development and happiness. It is the pre-school provision within Brixham Church of England Primary School, serving three- and four-year-olds on Higher Ranscombe Road in Brixham.

At the Ofsted inspection on 12 and 13 July 2023, early years provision was graded Good. That judgement covers the school's early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

The ACE EYFS Curriculum combines play with adult teaching and activities chosen by children. EYFS means the Early Years Foundation Stage: here, the approach brings learning and development together through seven areas of learning. The school aims to build independence, confidence and relationships alongside thinking skills. Individual work, small groups and guided interaction form part of that approach, giving adults different ways to engage children in learning.

Plan, Do, Review is a named element of the curriculum. The school uses it to encourage children to think about their actions and learning, with an emphasis on managing themselves. For parents, this gives a useful picture of the intended balance: children make choices, while adults help them consider what they are doing.

The early years classroom has natural furnishings and plenty of light. Outdoor learning space is accessible throughout the year, extending opportunities to practise skills beyond the classroom. In July 2023, children in early years learned effectively through exploratory play. Rhymes and repeated reading helped build confidence in language and communication. In the pre-school, focus weeks and learning stories were used to follow individual development, keeping attention on each child's progress over time.

Food has a specific nursery focus. The EYFS nutrition offer includes vegetables and fruit at each meal, with more than 20 varieties across the menus. Wholegrains feature weekly, while daily choices include vegetarian options alongside fish, meat and beans. Dairy or alternatives are provided daily. The nursery menu excludes fried food and added salt, sugar or artificial sweeteners, giving families a concrete picture of its food approach.

For additional needs, parents can contact the school's Special Educational Needs and Disability Coordinator (SENDCo). The school aims to work with families and staff when planning support. This gives parents a named role to approach with questions about their child's needs. Safeguarding concerns can be raised through the school's designated safeguarding team on 01803 882575.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process by the applicable deadline.

Applications use Torbay Council's forms. For the main Reception intake, families living outside Torbay use their own local authority's forms instead. Choosing the pre-school and applying for a school place are separate decisions, so parents should keep the Reception application in their plans.

The school office handles enquiries on 01803 882575 or at office@brixham.acexcellence.co.uk. School visits can be arranged through the office, giving families an opportunity to discuss the provision in person.

Pre-school uniform includes a light blue polo, with dark grey skirts, pinafores, trousers or shorts and school knitwear or fleece. Black shoes are required; trainers are excluded. Clothing should carry the child's name, helping families keep track of belongings.