Buglawton Primary School Nursery Review

A mud kitchen, large construction equipment and regular Forest School sessions give Buglawton Preschool a day built around practical exploration. Children can make, investigate and move between indoor and outdoor play, with stories and adult-led learning woven into their sessions.

This is Buglawton Primary School’s own preschool in Congleton, offering places for children aged three and four. It sits on the school site and is run by the governing body. Ofsted’s inspection on 12 and 13 November 2024 included the preschool and graded the school’s early years provision Good. That is an early years judgement within the school inspection.

Morning and afternoon sessions combine children’s chosen play with activities guided by adults. The home corner and small-world resources support imaginary situations; the sandpit, water table and investigation area give children materials to explore. There is room for quieter interests too, including a book corner and mark-making resources. Children can return to activities and develop their ideas rather than follow a timetable made entirely of adult-directed tasks.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together seven areas of development. In parent terms, speaking, movement and relationships form the starting point, alongside early reading and writing, maths, creativity and discovering how the world works. Morning activities include stories, phonics games and maths; afternoon adult-led activities can explore the world around the children.

In the Moment Planning (ITMP) is the named approach here. Adults watch children’s play and join it to extend an idea or introduce learning as an opportunity arises. It works alongside teaching individually, in pairs, in groups and with the whole class. This gives children’s interests a role in shaping what happens next.

Regular PE sessions use the school hall, while Forest School takes children to the school forest. These provide different settings for physical activity and exploration. In November 2024, the early years curriculum placed a clear emphasis on language, helping children talk and work together. Adult support. Some interactions varied in how effectively they extended learning and communication. Families should weigh that concern alongside the practical play opportunities.

Snacks are supplied by preschool in both sessions and eaten with other children, making a shared pause part of the routine. Children attending for the full day can bring lunch from home or have a school meal ordered ahead. Meals are prepared on site, and school meal orders and advance payments use Scopay. Families choosing this option should refer to the school for current charges.

A preschool teacher forms part of the staffing structure. For additional needs, the school’s support route starts with the child’s class teacher; appointments with the special educational needs coordinator can be arranged through the office. This gives parents a clear first contact for discussing day-to-day support. In November 2024, children in early years felt secure enough to explore the activities around them.

Attending preschool does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate school application through Cheshire East Council. For the September 2026 intake, the application deadline was 15 January 2026; that cycle has passed.

Familiarity with the school develops through walks around the site, alongside preschool’s use of the hall and forest. These help children become comfortable with the wider school setting. They are learning experiences, separate from the decision about allocating a Reception place.

Morning, afternoon and full-day attendance feature in the preschool day. Funded places covering 15 or 30 hours, plus top-up places, are offered for three- and four-year-olds. Contact the school office on 01260 633080 to discuss preschool requirements. School visits can also be booked through the office, giving families an opportunity to see the setting before deciding.