Buckland St Mary Church of England Primary School Nursery Review

Twelve children per session, a book corner full of familiar stories and access to the school playground give Willow Nursery its own small-scale character. It takes children from two years old and occupies the grounds of Buckland St Mary Church of England Primary School in the Blackdown Hills. Playground equipment and other school facilities are shared, bringing the nursery into the physical life of the school.

The emphasis is on exploration and learning through play, including playing alongside other children and learning to join in together. The nursery aims to develop independence and confidence through those experiences. For parents choosing an introduction to group care, that combination of a small session size and shared school surroundings is the defining practical feature. No Ofsted graded rating yet.

Morning and afternoon sessions provide the basic shape of the day. Through the ACE EYFS Curriculum, the school aims to balance child-led activities with direct teaching and guided interaction, including individual and small-group work. EYFS means the early years foundation stage. The school aims to use purposeful play to develop confidence, independence and positive relationships, alongside thinking skills and self-regulation.

Plan, Do, Review is a named part of the approach. The school aims to help children think about their choices, carry them out and reflect afterwards, alongside learning to manage their feelings and behaviour. Its early years classroom uses natural furnishings and has a light, airy interior; outdoor learning space is accessible throughout the year. That gives children different settings in which to practise what they are learning.

Books supply a more concrete picture of daily activity. The nursery's Core Books include The Three Little Pigs, The Gingerbread Man and The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Stories are revisited regularly, remain accessible in the book corner and provide a focus for linked experiences each half term. Familiar, repetitive stories give children opportunities to join in and retell them independently.

Exploration also extends beyond the grounds. Willow joined Ash Class on a visit to Lower Hewood Farm, connecting work on plant life cycles with an organic farm. Children met chickens, saw lambs and pulled up crops to taste. This was a specific opportunity to connect classroom learning with plants, animals and food.

A nursery manager forms part of the team, and parents are welcome to talk with nursery staff. Wider school communication uses email and Class Dojo, with a monthly update sent to parents. These channels give families ways to follow school life alongside direct conversations.

Food has nursery-specific detail. ACE Catering's nursery menus include vegetables and fruit at each meal, weekly wholegrains and daily dairy or alternatives. Protein choices include beans, vegetarian options, fish and meat. The nursery menu approach excludes fried foods and added salt, sugar or artificial sweeteners, giving parents concrete information about the food offered.

For additional learning needs, families can arrange a discussion with the school's special educational needs coordinator through the office. A School Entry Meeting may bring parents and professionals together before a child starts, allowing support to be planned in advance. Most school entrances have level access or ramps. Safeguarding concerns can be raised with the designated lead or deputies by telephone or email.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the local authority, with an online option, and return it by the deadline given in their application paperwork. Choosing Willow therefore means making a nursery decision now and a separate school application later.

Morning sessions run from 8:45 or 9:00am until noon; afternoon sessions run from noon until 3:00pm. The arrangement is sessional, so these are the times to use when considering how nursery fits around family routines.

To enquire or apply, telephone the school office on 01460 234251. Nursery visits can also be booked through the office, giving families an opportunity to meet staff and see the setting. Contact the school for current nursery charges.