Christ Church Primary School Nursery Review

Packed lunches and a choice between shorter sessions and a full day give Christ Church’s nursery a clear practical shape. This is the school’s own nursery on Dale Street in Burton on Trent, with morning and afternoon options for children taking 15 hours, alongside a 30-hour pattern.

For the 2027/2028 academic year, provision comprises fifteen 30-hour places and twenty-two 15-hour places. September entry is for children turning four during that academic year; children who have already turned three may join at the spring or summer entry points if spaces remain. These are distinct attendance options, so the choice affects both the length of the day and lunchtime arrangements.

Stories, colour and growing things give the learning concrete starting points. The nursery’s 2024–2025 curriculum included Wonderful Me, Traditional Tales and Forest Fun. Children’s planned learning moved from their bodies, families and sense of belonging to plants, food growing and small creatures. Familiar experiences supplied the starting vocabulary for exploring a bigger world.

Traditional Tales brought together Goldilocks and the three bears and Jack and the beanstalk. Colour celebration included mixing colours, with Elmer among its focus texts. These examples show how stories and practical exploration were linked through a topic, rather than treated as isolated activities.

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) learning includes language, physical development and understanding the world. For three- and four-year-olds, the learning goals include answering why questions, exploring natural materials through their senses, planting seeds and caring for plants. This connects conversation with things children can handle and observe. Healthy choices about food, drinks, activity and toothbrushing also form part of the learning.

For the longer attendance pattern, a supervised lunch break separates the morning and afternoon. It runs from 11:45 to 12:15. Children bring a packed lunch from home, making lunch preparation part of the family’s daily routine.

Special educational needs enquiries go to the school’s SENCo at Senco@christchurch-burton.staffs.sch.uk. That gives families a direct contact for discussing support needs. Where an education, health and care plan names the nursery, the child must be admitted; those admissions reduce the places remaining for other applicants.

Parents provide consumables such as nappies and sun cream from home. Alongside the packed lunch requirement, this makes the division of responsibility clear: the nursery supervises lunch, while families supply food and these personal care items.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place or confer admission priority. Parents must submit a separate Reception application at the appropriate time. Choosing the nursery therefore remains a decision about the nursery experience; families still need to complete the separate school admissions process.

The 15-hour options run from 8:45 to 11:45 in the morning or 12:15 to 15:15 in the afternoon. The 30-hour day runs from 8:45 to 15:15, including the supervised lunch interval.

Universal funded entitlement covers 15 hours for children aged three and above. An additional 15 hours depends on working parental entitlement through Gov.uk. Lunch supervision carries a separate charge, and additional services such as class cooking activities are voluntary and chargeable. Contact the school for current charges.

To request a nursery application pack, email office@christchurch-burton.staffs.sch.uk or collect one from the school office. This provides a direct route to starting the nursery application.