Kelvedon St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy Nursery

Two main rooms and a large garden give this teacher-led nursery its shape: space for play, with a school learning routine alongside it. Kelvedon St Mary's nursery serves children aged two, three and four in a purpose-built setting within the primary academy. It runs during school terms.

Class 1 groups two- and three-year-olds; Class 2 is for three- and four-year-olds. Children are grouped by their future school-year cohort. Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 5 and 6 March 2024. That judgement covers early years across the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Play moves between the rooms and garden, with adults guiding activities alongside children's own exploration. Children go outdoors daily. Building blocks, puzzles, play dough and painting provide different ways to investigate, make things and practise using their hands. Counting, matching and sorting introduce mathematics; climbing, skipping and scissor work develop physical skills.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings these experiences together. It covers talking and listening, movement and relationships, alongside early literacy, mathematics, creativity and understanding the world. Staff follow children's interests and extend their play when useful. The approach combines play with teaching in groups and pairs, giving children opportunities both to choose and to learn with others.

A morning snack can be taken between 9.30am and 10.15am, and stories or group activities bring the morning towards its close. Afternoon play leads into a group snack, followed by songs, stories and conversation about the day's learning. Sometimes children prepare or cook food linked to their learning. These shared moments give practice in listening and joining in.

In March 2024, nursery children enjoyed stories and were learning the foundations for recognising letter sounds. Turn-taking and playing cooperatively also began in Nursery: learning here includes how to share the day with other children.

An allocated key person supports each child's move into nursery and acts as a contact for parents. Before starting, families are invited to Stay and Play. Two shorter settling sessions are suggested, with parents staying for the first and trying a brief separation during the second. Settling time varies by child.

Tapestry records observations and photographs, and parents can add experiences from home. Consultations and an annual written summary provide further opportunities to discuss development. Between ages two and three, a progress check examines communication, physical development and social and emotional development. Teachers, nursery nurses and practitioners work together; the nursery also liaises with speech and language therapists, health visitors and the Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service. In March 2024, children received support for additional needs from Nursery onwards.

School meals from Edwards and Ward or packed lunches are options for full-day and Wednesday afternoon attendance. Adults supervise lunch and help with packaging, cutting food and cutlery. Packed lunches must be nut free; diagnosed dietary needs can be registered with the caterer. Milk or water accompanies snacks. Families supply nappies or pull-ups, and staff work with parents on toilet training when children are ready.

Nursery attendance neither guarantees a Reception place nor gives admission priority. Families must apply separately through Essex County Council. For September 2027 entry, the application deadline is 15 January 2027.

Links with Reception staff and pupils support transition for children who subsequently attend the academy. Those relationships are separate from allocation of places. Moving between nursery classes. A Class 1 place does not guarantee Class 2 attendance, so families should treat that next placement as a separate decision too.

The booking model uses fixed term-time blocks. One 15-hour option covers Monday and Tuesday, 9am–3pm, plus Wednesday, 9am–noon. The other covers Thursday and Friday, 9am–3pm, plus Wednesday afternoon: 12.15pm–3.15pm for Class 1, or noon–3pm for Class 2. Both blocks can be requested for 30 hours, subject to places. Days cannot be rearranged or split.

Universal funding provides 15 hours from the term after a child's third birthday; eligible two-year-olds can also receive funded places, and eligible working families can receive 30 hours. Funding agreements are completed each term. Chargeable sessions are paid termly in advance through Arbor; ask the school for current charges. Meals are booked through Arbor, with benefits-related free meals available from September 2026 for eligible nursery families receiving Universal Credit or qualifying asylum support.

Uniform is optional. Bring a named water bottle, spare clothes, waterproof coat and Wellington boots for outdoor play. Enquiries and visit arrangements go through nursery@kelvedonacademy.com or 01376 570411.