Eden Park Primary & Nursery School: Nursery Review

Tadpoles and Frogs give Eden Park's youngest children two distinct nursery groups, with stories, making and imaginative play shaping their early learning. Both are on the school site in Brixham. Tadpoles caters for ages 2–3 and Frogs for ages 3–4; children can join Tadpoles from the term after their second birthday. That starting point matters when planning a child's first term.

Early years provision was judged Good at the Ofsted inspection of 13 and 14 June 2023. The judgement covers the school's early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery. In June 2023, children explored carefully planned activities, supported by positive relationships and clear expectations.

Books and conversation give the day a clear thread. Children hear several stories daily, with weekly story themes extending into practical activities. Letters and Sounds begins from age two, followed by Read Write Inc. in Nursery. BIG TALK supports vocabulary and understanding. These approaches put listening and language alongside the first steps towards reading, rather than leaving books as an occasional activity.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach includes learning through play and practical challenges. Art brings paint applied with fingers or tools, colour mixing with salad spinners, and dough-like exploration using flour and salt. Children try self-portraits and drawings based on observation. Handling scissors and dispensing tape also gives them practice in doing things for themselves.

Construction adds another kind of problem-solving. Blocks can become a house, an animal or a train station, while paper folding and joining materials let children test how their ideas hold together. Role play, dance and music provide opportunities to express feelings and develop stories with other children.

Frogs has a home corner and uses a garden for activity. Examples include pancake-themed play in the home corner and practising throwing outdoors with a ball thrower. Those examples show how pretend play and larger movements sit alongside books and making. In June 2023, nursery book-sharing also supported children's language development, and assessment in early years English and mathematics was effective.

A nursery manager and nursery assistants form part of the staffing structure, with assistants attached to Tadpoles and Frogs. Daily snack time is also used to explore healthier food choices, bringing food into learning as well as the care routine.

For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the school's approach often starts with classroom observation and can include individual programmes, support in small groups and input from external professionals. Regular meetings with parents help establish a shared understanding of a child's needs. This makes family knowledge part of planning support.

The school-wide Wellbeing Team provides emotional support, social skills groups and help with transitions. Its work includes support for children dealing with anxiety, bereavement or changes at home, giving families another route for discussing difficulties that may affect learning.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process; school admissions are handled by Torbay Admissions. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions.

Both funded and paying children attend the nursery. Nursery enquiries go through the school office, which can be contacted at admin@eppsa.org.uk or on 01803 854011.

Guided tours can be requested during the school day or after school, with a preschool option on the booking form. A tour offers the chance to meet staff and see the facilities before deciding whether the nursery suits your child.