Seagry Church of England Primary School Nursery Review

Child-directed play and a large garden give Seagry Pre-school its character. This provision for under-fives forms part of Seagry Church of England Primary School in Upper Seagry. Practitioners watch how children choose to play, then help develop the learning within it. Children’s interests shape the activity.

The garden provides room for daily exercise, creative activity and investigation. For families seeking learning through play, that combination of space and adult involvement is the defining feature. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 14 to 15 November 2023; this is an early years judgement within the school inspection.

Children choose activities alongside play guided by adults and work in small groups. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning to communicate, managing feelings and relationships, and physical development, alongside early literacy, maths, creative expression and discovering how the world works. Children have opportunities to develop these skills throughout the day.

Little Wandle Foundations gives early reading a practical shape: children share poems and stories, join in action rhymes and practise listening. Oral blending activities help them hear how sounds combine, while conversations build vocabulary. The emphasis is on developing the listening and language that later reading needs.

Books have a physical place in the day too. Nursery children can use the reading area daily, with its selection refreshed, and choose books to share with an adult at home. White Rose Mathematics supports early number learning, with practitioners introducing mathematical language and giving children opportunities to use concepts independently.

Outdoors, the garden offers space to move and explore. Indoors, children can select activities for themselves, while adults adjust resources around their interests and next steps. In November 2023, early years teaching placed clear emphasis on language development, helping children acquire vocabulary for subsequent learning.

Familiar routines help children settle. In November 2023, early years children settled comfortably, understood the daily pattern and responded to adults’ directions. That gives parents a useful picture of how children managed the group setting at that point.

Practitioners work with parents to understand each child’s experiences and interests. Observations contribute to a learning journey shared with families, making everyday learning part of the conversation between home and nursery.

For children needing additional help, early years staff plan support with the SENCO and parents, put a support plan in place and review the provision through progress meetings. Learning is adapted to children’s developmental stages, including support for those learning English as an additional language. This gives families a route into discussing needs and agreeing support.

A cooked lunch is optional and carries an additional charge. It uses locally sourced produce, giving families a meal option during the nursery day.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Wiltshire Council. For the 2025/26 intake, nursery attendance conferred no oversubscription priority, and the application deadline was 15 January 2025.

Preparation for the move is a separate matter. Scheduled transition days at the end of the summer term introduce new Reception children and parents to their teacher and learning spaces. Children with SEND can have additional preparation through visits, photographs and a transition book, helping make the next setting more familiar.

Opening hours are 09:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday. Fees are payable in advance each term; contact the school for current charges. The optional cooked lunch is charged separately.

For three- and four-year-olds, funded nursery education covers 15 hours a week for 38 weeks a year, beginning in the term after their third birthday. Those funded hours must cover at least three days, with no more than 12.5 hours across two days and a minimum of 2.5 hours.

Pre-school enquiries go through the school office: call 01249 720213 or email admin@seagry.bluekitetrust.org. School tours can be booked, giving families an opportunity to see the setting before applying.