Littledean Church of England Primary School Nursery Review

Play and exploration shape Littledean’s early years provision, with learning outdoors in every kind of weather and activities children choose for themselves. This is the school’s own nursery for three- and four-year-olds, within Littledean Church of England Primary School on Church Street. The school aims to develop independence and encourage children to think about how they could improve their work.

There is an important qualification to that picture. Ofsted judged early years provision Requires improvement following its inspection on 30 April and 1 May 2024. That is the early years judgement within the school inspection, rather than a separate nursery rating.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines exploration with adult guidance here. Children take part in play supported by adults, tasks teachers direct and activities they initiate themselves. Adults introduce skills that children can then use in their own chosen play. That gives the day both direction and room for individual interests.

Learning happens inside and outside. Staff adapt activities through their conversations with children, taking account of each child’s development. The wider school grounds include a pond, a garden and an area for forest school. These are features of the school site, rather than a description of a nursery-only outdoor space.

Foundations for Phonics introduces pre-school children to their reading journey, alongside the school’s Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised approach. In April and May 2024, nursery children concentrated for sustained periods and understood numbers up to 5 well. Blend from the box sessions helped develop language and communication. Sea-themed activities also formed part of the early years learning environment.

Curriculum continuity. Early years learning was organised in a considered sequence, but connections with later learning were weaker. In some subjects, knowledge had not been ordered precisely enough from early years onwards for children to retain and build on it. For families, how those early foundations carry forward is a useful focus when discussing learning with staff.

Tapestry gives each child an individual Learning Journey containing examples of their learning experiences. Parents are encouraged to contribute achievements and developments from home. This creates a practical way to connect what children do in nursery with what families notice elsewhere.

For special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the school’s co-ordinator can be contacted through the office on 01594 822171. Families can use that route to begin a conversation about their child’s needs. School-wide safeguarding arrangements were effective in April and May 2024; that finding applies across the school.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place or confer admission priority. Families must make a separate Reception application through Gloucestershire County Council and meet the normal application deadline.

When applications exceed places, priority goes first to children in public care, then to children with siblings attending when they join, followed by those living closest. Nursery attendance does not feature in that sequence. Choosing the nursery and applying for Reception are separate decisions.

Enquiries about joining the pre-school can be made on 01594 822171 or by emailing admin@littledean.gloucs.sch.uk. Families can also arrange an appointment to visit the school and meet staff using those contact details. A visit provides a direct opportunity to discuss whether this play-based approach suits your child.