Stepgates Community School Nursery Review

Stories and early phonics stood out in Stepgates’ nursery at the June 2023 inspection. This is the nursery within Stepgates Community School in Chertsey, with provision that includes two-year-olds. It offers an introduction to learning within a primary school, rather than a separate school admission in itself.

At the inspection on 20 and 21 June 2023, Ofsted judged early years provision Good. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision; it is not a separate nursery rating. The nursery-specific finding was that phonics began promptly, with stories given attention from children’s first days. For parents, early reading is a concrete part of the offer.

Adult guidance and children’s independence sit alongside each other. In June 2023, early years activities and materials were carefully organised, and adults used questions to establish what children understood. The emphasis was on helping children learn through what they were doing, with adults checking understanding as they went.

Mathematics had a practical example: children sorted numbers into odd and even groups. They showed secure mathematical understanding. Children also tackled tasks both on their own and alongside others, giving them opportunities to practise independence as well as cooperation. These findings describe the early years foundation stage, the school’s earliest phase of learning.

Within Nursery itself, phonics teaching started promptly. Stories were also introduced from the beginning, placing books alongside the work on reading. This gives families two distinct features to consider: attention to the mechanics of reading and an early interest in stories.

Settling into routines was a positive feature of early years in June 2023. Children were eager to learn and managed activities independently and together. Familiar routines therefore formed part of their preparation for the next stage, alongside the learning itself.

Support for speech, language and communication has a specific connection to Nursery. The Specialist Centre for children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) provides assessment placements for nursery children receiving its support. For these children, an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) is needed by Reception. Families using this provision need to distinguish assessment support in Nursery from the requirements at the next stage.

The school aims to recognise learning needs as they emerge and provide support early. Its inclusion approach also recognises that younger children’s readiness to learn can depend on maturity. A nursery SENDCo provides a specific nursery role for special educational needs and disabilities.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Surrey County Council is the school’s admissions authority, and the application route is through Surrey admissions.

Learning preparation and admission are separate questions. In June 2023, early years children were ready for their next stage of learning. That finding describes their educational preparation; it does not secure a place at Stepgates.

General enquiries can be made by calling 01932 563022 or emailing info@stepgates.surrey.sch.uk. School visits require advance booking through the office, giving prospective parents a direct route to arrange a visit.

For speech, language and communication provision, the contact email is inclusion@stepgates.surrey.sch.uk. This provides a separate enquiry route for families considering specialist support.