The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Nursery at Watermoor Church of England 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Daily phonics and a shared early years class give Fireflies its distinctive shape. This is Watermoor Church of England Primary School’s pre-school provision in Cirencester, with funding arrangements for three- and four-year-olds. Pre-school children learn in a combined class with Reception children, making the older age group part of their everyday surroundings rather than simply a future destination.
The school welcomes families of any faith or none. Its Christian values include hope, respect and compassion. Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good following the inspection on 20 and 21 May 2025; that judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Fireflies follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), with Development Matters guiding the curriculum. This is the framework for its early learning, rather than the National Curriculum used with older pupils. The school’s physical setting includes spacious grounds and buildings, although the shared early years class is the defining feature of the pre-school’s organisation.
Essential Letters and Sounds (ELS) gives reading a clear place in the day. Phonics teaching begins in Fireflies and happens daily. Children work on the relationship between spoken sounds and their written forms, then use that knowledge to read words. Practice includes reading with an adult individually, as well as in groups and together as a class.
In May 2025, reading teaching included regular checks of children’s sound knowledge and books selected to match the sounds they had learned. That connects practice to what a child can already manage. A wider school improvement priority concerned inconsistent checks on learning in some subjects; it was not identified as a nursery-specific weakness.
An EYFS lead and an EYFS learning partner form part of the staffing structure. Beyond the classroom, the school’s Early Help support includes help with family difficulties, assistance with forms and referrals to food banks. Partnerships include the Churn Project and speech and language therapists, giving families routes to support beyond teaching alone.
Caterlink supplies the school’s meals. For pre-school, lunchtime supervision is charged separately, while the contribution towards snacks and consumables is voluntary. These are distinct arrangements: families should separate meal-related supervision from the optional contribution when considering current charges.
Sharing an early years class provides everyday familiarity with Reception children. It is a classroom arrangement, not an admissions entitlement. Attending Fireflies does not guarantee a Reception place at Watermoor: families must make a separate application through the normal Reception admissions process and meet its deadline.
Morning and afternoon sessions are offered. Universal funding covers 15 hours each week for three- and four-year-olds; eligible children of those ages can receive 30 hours, with extended provision also identified for children in foster care. Care beyond the funded provision is charged. Contact the school for current charges.
Breakfast and after-school clubs accept pre-school children from age four. They provide drinks and a snack, require registration and use ParentPay for payment. This age threshold matters when planning childcare around sessions.
Fireflies is full for the 2026–27 academic year. To join the waiting list, call 01285 653817. General enquiries can also go to office@watermoor.dgat.org.uk, and visits can be arranged through the school office.
Fireflies uses the EYFS curriculum and Development Matters guidance. Essential Letters and Sounds is its phonics programme, with daily teaching beginning in pre-school.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a place, and families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process.
The arrangements cover 15 hours weekly for all three- and four-year-olds and 30 hours for eligible children of those ages, including extended provision for children in foster care. Care outside funded provision is charged.
Children aged four and above can attend breakfast and after-school clubs. Registration is required, payment is through ParentPay, and drinks and a snack are provided.
Fireflies is full for the 2026–27 academic year. Call 01285 653817 to request a place on the waiting list.
