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Nursery at Highfield Community Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Picture books, swimming and Forest School give Highfield’s nursery its own character within the primary school. Based on Blacon Point Road in Blacon, Chester, the school provides nursery education from age 3. There are 52 nursery places, with two qualified teachers supported by teaching assistants and a welfare assistant. That combines a teaching team with a separate welfare role for the youngest children.
Families can choose mornings, afternoons or a pattern spread across 2.5 full days. The choice matters: nursery attendance can fit several different weekly routines, rather than requiring the same arrangement for every family.
Early reading starts with pictures and conversation. Children take home a library book alongside a wordless scheme book, using the illustrations to describe what is happening and invent a story. Parents are asked to read with their child five times a week and record it. Books change on either Monday or Thursday, giving families a clear routine for sharing stories at home.
Swimming lessons and Forest School add physical activity and outdoor learning to the nursery experience. For Forest School, children need layers covering their legs and arms, wellies and waterproof clothing. Children staying for the afternoon bring shoes to change into. These are practical activities that need practical clothes.
The school’s Learning-in-Context approach connects topics across classes, with its Look Up, Look Out, Look Beyond thread encouraging curiosity about learning, connections and possibilities beyond children’s immediate experience. Within the nursery’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) learning, the wordless books give a concrete example: talking about pictures becomes an early step towards reading.
In July 2022, children in the early years listened attentively and contributed their ideas in class. Each early-years class also had a book area stocked with good-quality texts, placing books within the everyday learning environment.
Tapestry connects nursery learning with home. Parents can see what children are learning, send questions and upload photographs or observations of activities outside school. The reading record offers another route for sharing a child’s comments and interests. Communication works in both directions.
For additional needs, the school uses a graduated approach, with support such as smaller teaching groups, visual prompts and extra adult help. Individual support plans are reviewed and shared with parents. A full-time special educational needs coordinator offers parents of children with SEN a meeting each term, alongside the usual teacher learning reviews. Across the school, ramps, double doors and three accessible toilets with changing facilities support physical access.
Lunches follow a three-week menu cycle and can be ordered through SCOPAY from home or in class on the day. Free school meal claims can be made from nursery age, subject to entitlement. For food allergies, families must give medical evidence to the office for Edsential, the caterer; intolerances also require evidence. Cultural and lifestyle dietary requirements should be shared with the office so meals can accommodate them.
Attending Highfield’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Cheshire West and Chester’s normal admissions process and meet the deadline for their entry year. Treat that application as a separate task from securing nursery sessions.
Transition support has its own purpose. For the September 2026 intake, families were offered an early summer-term meeting and a School Readiness booklet to help prepare their child at home. That preparation supports the move to school; it does not secure admission.
The booking choices are five morning sessions, five afternoon sessions or 2.5 full days. Extra sessions can supplement the 15-hour entitlement, while 30-hour provision is offered to eligible working parents. Nursery applications go directly to the school through an online form. Ask the school for current charges for additional sessions.
A white polo shirt is specified for nursery uniform, with a blue school-logo jumper or cardigan. Label clothing and bring a named bag each day for children’s pictures. Forest School uses outdoor clothing instead of uniform.
Wraparound care. Breakfast Club and the after-school childcare club serve Reception to Year 6. Families choosing nursery sessions should plan their childcare around that age restriction.
For enquiries, contact the office on 01244 259650 or admin@highfield-blacon.cheshire.sch.uk.
Five mornings, five afternoons or 2.5 full days. Extra sessions can supplement the 15-hour entitlement, and 30-hour provision is offered to eligible working parents.
Children bring home a library book and a wordless scheme book. Families discuss the pictures and create stories, with reading requested five times a week.
Tapestry allows parents to send questions and share photographs and observations from home. Families can also add comments to the reading record.
No. Families must apply separately through Cheshire West and Chester’s normal Reception admissions process and meet the deadline for their entry year.
Breakfast Club and the after-school childcare club are for Reception to Year 6, so nursery children fall outside their stated age coverage.
