Bourton-on-the-Water Primary School Nursery Review

Ice blocks hiding vegetables, Welly Walks in woodland and a bike track for practising road safety give Bourton's preschool a concrete, exploratory character. Language runs through that activity: children have things to investigate, describe and ask about.

Two rooms serve different stages. Twinkling Stars welcomes children aged 2 to 3, while Rising Stars takes children aged 3 to 4. The preschool operates within the school's registration. Its manager works with the school's EYFS leader on the curriculum, supported by a deputy manager, connecting the preschool team with the wider early years provision.

In February 2026, Ofsted judged early years to meet the Expected standard. That is an early years judgement within the school inspection, rather than a separate nursery rating.

Twinkling Stars combines routines with free flow, giving younger children a predictable framework and scope to explore. Construction, retelling stories and messy play sit alongside outdoor activity. These are practical ways into the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS): learning to communicate, move, manage feelings and relationships, then developing early literacy, mathematical understanding, creativity and knowledge of the world.

For Rising Stars, independence becomes more explicit. Children practise recognising their own name, counting to 10 and recognising numbers; mark making includes developing a tripod grip. From the summer term, RWI Phonics introduces sounds and letter recognition through songs and visual representations. The emphasis is on nursery practice, with early familiarity built into activities.

Outdoor learning has several distinct settings. Welly Walks use a wooded area, while the bike track introduces road safety through play. A mud kitchen, water area and covered sandpit provide materials to explore; climbing frames and a climbing wall add physical challenge. This gives children different ways to investigate and practise movement.

In February 2026, younger preschool children explored ice containing frozen vegetables, using warm water to uncover them. Adults used the activity to encourage curiosity and language. Across early years, books developed rhyme, rhythm and vocabulary, including words for squid, turtles and jellyfish. Staff checked children's development and adjusted activities accordingly, making observation part of planning what comes next.

Settling can include a parent staying when needed. Once a child can manage separation, the preschool prefers parents to leave, with the aim of supporting social and emotional development. This makes settling a gradual move towards independence rather than an immediate expectation.

Personal care is also part of learning in Rising Stars. Children practise handwashing, toileting and using tissues appropriately. These everyday skills matter alongside recognising letters or numbers: they help children manage more of their own needs.

Staff regularly share learning with families and suggest ways to support language, exploration and early reading at home. A SENDCo and SEND manager form the school's SEND team. Support consistency. In February 2026, the wider school needed to make agreed support approaches more consistent and teaching more precise; leaders also needed sharper evaluation of improvements. For families considering additional support, consistency in everyday practice matters as much as the team structure.

Attending the preschool does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Gloucestershire County Council coordinates Reception admissions; its Co-ordinated Admissions team can be contacted at school.admissions@gloucestershire.gov.uk.

Preparation and admission are separate questions. Rising Stars develops self-care, name recognition and early number skills to help children manage the move into school. Those activities support readiness; they do not secure a place.

Preschool opens Monday to Friday, with sessions between 8am and 6pm, during both school terms and holidays. It operates for 52 weeks of the year, giving families a calendar that extends beyond term time.

To apply, return a preschool application form by email, post or in person. The team then contacts families about places. A child's birth certificate is required at registration to verify their date of birth. Enquiries can go to admin@bourton.school or 01451 820458. The setting is on School Hill, Bourton-on-the-Water, GL54 2AW.