Southfields Primary School Nursery Review

Talking comes before formal reading at Southfields: stories, WELLCOMM and BLAST give the nursery curriculum a clear language focus. Play shares the timetable with adult-guided learning, rather than sitting apart from it. This is the school's own part-time nursery on East Street in Coventry, with 26 places in each of its morning and afternoon sessions.

Ofsted judged early years provision Good at the inspection on 6 and 7 December 2022. That judgement covers the school's early years provision, rather than a separately graded nursery.

Children choose their own play, join activities directed by adults and explore with staff helping to extend their ideas. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) connects learning about language, movement and relationships with early literacy, maths, creativity and understanding the world. For parents, that means learning through conversation, making things and exploring, alongside teaching specific skills.

Language support starts with WELLCOMM assessment on entry. BLAST develops speaking and listening, while Teddy Talk supports children whose language development needs extra attention. Stories accompany this work. Sound games begin in spring, followed by preparation for Read Write Inc. in summer: a gradual introduction to the skills children will use when learning to read.

Early maths includes counting, patterns and number formation using Ten Town and White Rose. Teacher-led PE gives nursery children practice in movement and coordination. Jigsaw addresses relationships, confidence and managing emotions, so personal development has a named place alongside numbers and language.

Indoor and outdoor spaces both support role play and exploration. Children experiment with materials and express ideas through drama, movement, music and art. Adults join play to demonstrate possibilities and help children develop their thinking, leaving room for children's own interests to shape the activity.

In December 2022, activities generally suited the intended learning in early years. However, the youngest children had fewer opportunities for the purposeful conversations available to older pupils. Curriculum changes were also recent, and their effect on learning still needed checking. Those findings make adult interaction and the development of the curriculum useful topics for families to discuss.

After a place is offered, families are invited to meet staff and discuss their child's needs. That gives the school an opportunity to prepare support before the child joins. The early years approach emphasises predictable routines and relationships with adults, helping children understand the pattern of their session.

An assistant headteacher leads early years. For children with SEND, learning is adapted to individual needs; the school's SENDCo works with teaching staff, families and specialists. Individual Education Plans are reviewed with parents three times a year, giving families regular opportunities to discuss targets and support.

The wider school site has ramps leading to playgrounds and a hygiene suite. A perimeter fence and locked gates control access, with daytime entry through the front office. Families can also raise wellbeing or safeguarding concerns confidentially, either in person or through the pastoral email address.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Coventry City Council's admissions process; the council's Admissions and Benefits Team allocates places. Nursery families receive application leaflets through the school office. Treat that application as a separate step from joining nursery.

For children with SEND, support when changing classes can include meetings involving parents and staff, information sharing and familiarisation visits where needed. These arrangements help prepare a child for change; they are separate from the allocation of a Reception place.

Morning nursery runs from 8:30 to 11:30; the afternoon session runs from 12:30 to 15:30. Each is a three-hour block, making the session choice significant for work and collection arrangements. Nursery applications are handled by the school through an online application form.

General enquiries go to enquiries@SouthfieldsPrimary.org or 02476 226 810. The school uniform uses a white polo shirt with a black cardigan or sweatshirt and grey or black bottoms. Clothing should carry the child's name so lost items can be returned.