Astbury Acorns Nursery at Astbury St Mary's CofE Primary School

Three session options give Astbury Acorns a clear practical identity: mornings, afternoons or a full school day. This is the pre-school for children aged 3 and 4 at Astbury St Mary's CofE Primary School in Astbury, Congleton. Acorns belongs to Class Jonah, a mixed pre-school and Reception group, so nursery life takes place within the school's early-years provision.

A class teacher and classroom teaching assistants support Class Jonah. The mixed-age organisation allows teaching to be matched to children's age and ability rather than assuming everyone is at the same stage. Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 7 and 8 March 2023; this was an early-years judgement within the school inspection.

Language gives the learning a clear direction. In March 2023, early language and communication were a substantial focus of the early-years curriculum, with local history helping connect learning to familiar surroundings. For a young child, that combines learning to express ideas with discovering something about the place they know.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together movement, communication and social development with early literacy, maths, creativity and understanding the world. Play and exploration take place outside as well as indoors. Activities respond to children's interests and developmental needs, giving staff room to adapt learning to the child.

Talk for Writing has been used from Early Years onwards since 2019. Children rehearse the language of texts orally, with adult guidance supporting increasing independence. It gives spoken language a practical role in learning to write.

A March 2023 early-years example makes the approach tangible: children playing ten-pin bowling wrote down scores and practised addition to 10. A game became a reason to use both numbers and writing. Children also learnt to take turns and share from their earliest days in early years.

Curriculum consistency. In March 2023, school-wide weaknesses concerned unclear learning content and sequencing in a few subjects, alongside uneven staff confidence and subject leaders' checks on teaching. These qualify the wider curriculum picture rather than establishing a nursery-specific weakness.

Joining early years includes meetings with families and others who can help prepare the child's move. Staff visit the child's previous pre-school setting, with extra visits possible, and discuss individual needs with parents. This creates an opportunity to carry familiar care and support information into the new setting.

For special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the class teacher is the first contact, supported by the SENDCo. All class teachers have qualified teacher status, and staff receive regular SEND training. Learning, resources and the environment can be adapted; parents are invited to termly meetings to review support. Advice from the Cheshire East Autism Team can inform planning and environmental changes.

Personal care plans are developed with parents and medical professionals where needed. Medication requires a signed request, and parents are told when it has been administered. The school also has accessible changing and toilet facilities. These arrangements give families concrete ways to coordinate care with staff.

Attending Astbury Acorns does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Cheshire East's school admissions route by the normal Reception deadline. Familiarity with the school and an application for a place are separate matters.

For children with SEND, transition support can include classroom visits where appropriate, buddies on request, and personalised booklets or social stories when needed. The SENDCo shares information with staff and liaises with previous or future settings. These measures help prepare a child for change; they do not secure admission.

Full-day sessions run from 8:50am to 3:20pm. A morning lasts from 8:50am to 11:50am, while the afternoon runs from 12:20pm to 3:20pm. The half-day options offer a shorter session; the full day keeps nursery attendance within school-day hours.

For enquiries, call 01260 272528 or email admin@astbury.cheshire.sch.uk. School tours can be arranged through the office. In Class Jonah, PE clothing stays at school in a named bag, and clothing must be labelled so it can be returned to the right child.