Bishop Ian Ramsey CofE Primary School Nursery Review

Acorns gives two- to four-year-olds a start within Bishop Ian Ramsey’s own Early Years Unit. Opened in September 2024, the nursery belongs to the Church of England primary school in Medomsley. Its name fits the school’s tree-themed class structure, but its flexible curriculum follows children’s individual needs and interests, with activities often initiated by children themselves.

Places can begin after a child’s second or third birthday, according to parental preference, and run until 31 August following their fourth birthday. This makes Acorns an option for families seeking an earlier start as well as those choosing nursery at three.

Children’s interests help shape the activities. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together seven areas of development, with talking and understanding language, movement, and personal and social development coming first. Early literacy, mathematics, creative expression and exploring the world build alongside them. Activities are adapted to individual needs and are often initiated by children themselves, giving their choices a place in the learning.

For parents, that means the nursery curriculum extends beyond preparation for reading or number work. Learning to communicate, develop physically and manage relationships belongs in the same picture. The flexible approach allows activities to follow a child’s development and interests.

The school has adjacent woodland and an outdoor environment within its Early Years provision. These are concrete features of the setting, alongside the school-run Early Years Unit itself.

New nursery starters and their parents are invited to an introductory Stay and Play session. Families are encouraged to visit before nursery begins, with additional visits arranged around the child’s needs. That creates an opportunity to become familiar with the setting together before the new routine starts.

A key worker contributes information about each child’s learning and personal needs when they move on. For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the early years arrangements include listening to parental concerns, monitoring development and reviewing support through an assess, plan, do, review cycle. Parents are informed when special educational provision is introduced, so support is discussed rather than left as an unexplained change.

Lunch supervision and an optional school meal are booked separately from the morning and afternoon sessions. Meals, snacks and consumables can attract additional charges, including for families using funded places. This distinction matters when planning attendance across lunchtime.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place or confer priority under the September 2027 admission arrangements. Families must make a separate application using their home local authority’s Common Application Form. The deadline is 15 January in the admission year. For children starting in September 2027, that means 15 January 2027.

Transition support is a separate matter. During the summer term, teachers from children’s destination schools may visit. The nursery key worker shares learning progress alongside emotional, social and health needs, helping the next team understand the child beyond their achievements alone.

Children with Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans have separate transition meetings involving the relevant agencies, with staff accompanying visits to new settings. For children moving to Bishop Ian Ramsey’s Reception class, the transition arrangements take place during the school day.

Morning sessions run from 8:30 to 11:30, with afternoons from 12:15 to 15:15, Monday to Friday. The lunch session sits between them, from 11:30 to 12:15. Families select days and attendance components, and those seeking part-time attendance give a morning or afternoon preference.

Universal funding for three- and four-year-olds starts in the term after their third birthday and is usually taken as 15 hours a week. Eligibility-based support also covers some two-year-olds, and working-parent entitlements are recognised. Funded childcare excludes meals, consumables and additional activities; extra hours are chargeable too. Contact the school for current charges.

Enquiries go to admin@birmedomsley.co.uk, 01207 560 235 or the School Office. Registration places children on a waiting list; offers are made in writing and require written acceptance. Payments for booked lunches and additional sessions use Parent Pay. Four weeks’ notice is required to reduce sessions or end a place, so changes need planning ahead.