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Nursery at Walsgrave Church of England Academy
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Superhero dens, daily outdoor play and dough gym give Walsgrave’s nursery its character: learning starts with things children can build, handle and talk about. This is the nursery within Walsgrave Church of England Academy in Coventry, with a nursery teacher who also leads EYFS standards and a nursery teaching assistant.
In January 2023, Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.
Play carries the learning. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together communication, physical and emotional development with early literacy, maths, creative expression and understanding the world. Walsgrave’s approach, The Ms, turns those areas into practical priorities: conversation, managing friendships, making marks, movement and exploring. Building a superhero den is one nursery example, giving imaginative play a purpose beyond keeping children occupied.
Spring learning includes daily stories and songs, with We’re Going on a Bear Hunt supplying language about position. Children explore the first sounds in words and make simple maps of familiar stories. In January 2023, reading preparation began midway through Nursery with one sound each week. These are small steps towards recognising how spoken words work.
Maths takes a physical form too. Children fill differently sized containers, sort objects by size or colour and build with blocks and shapes. Making porridge introduces mixing and changes caused by heat; freezing and melting water give children something observable to investigate. Dough gym and obstacle courses add movement. Outdoors is part of every day, with the green playground forming the nursery’s outdoor area, so suitable clothes and spare outfits matter.
Starting nursery includes small-group Stay and Play, followed by sessions that grow in length. Parents can remain with their child for the first session, or leave once the child settles. That gives families a gradual introduction rather than an immediate full-session separation.
Tapestry connects learning at nursery with home. Staff use iPads and Kindles to record progress; parents can see their child’s observations, comment and contribute their own. Notifications flag new entries. Weekly newsletters and further Stay and Play opportunities provide other points of contact.
Milk, fruit and water are accessible through the day, and nursery lunch begins at 11:30am. Families should keep staff informed about allergies and continuing medical conditions. Self-care is also taught: spring activities include washing hands, toileting and changing clothes, while deep breathing and sensory toys help children practise managing feelings.
For additional needs, the school SENDCo can be contacted through the office. Support planning involves parents, and the school works with specialists including Speech and Language Therapy and the Early Years SEND team. This gives families a route to discuss their child’s needs before agreeing support.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and confers no priority for the September 2027 intake. Parents must make a separate Reception application through Coventry City Council by the normal deadline. A sibling attending nursery does not count as a sibling in the main school for admissions purposes.
Transition is a separate matter. Children are invited to meet staff and explore their new classroom with their parents before September. Existing Walsgrave nursery children do not need another home visit. Familiarity can help the move feel manageable, but it does not affect allocation of a place.
Morning sessions run from 8:30am to 11:30am; afternoons run from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. The 30-hour pattern is 8:30am to 2:30pm, with an optional extra hour extending it to 3:30pm. Contact the school to confirm arrangements for the optional extra hour.
Nursery children wear school uniform, with Velcro shoes requested. Bring labelled wellies to leave there, spare clothes including underwear, a sun hat and weather-appropriate outerwear. These support messy play and time outdoors.
For enquiries, call 02476 612161 or email walsgrave.admin@walsgraveacademy.org. Families can telephone to arrange a look around.
Morning sessions are 8:30am to 11:30am and afternoons are 12:30pm to 3:30pm. The 30-hour pattern runs from 8:30am to 2:30pm, with an optional extension to 3:30pm.
Yes. Bring suitable outdoor clothing, labelled wellies and spare clothes for messy play.
Parents can view observations through Tapestry, receive notifications and add comments or their own observations. Weekly newsletters provide another connection with nursery life.
No. Nursery attendance gives no priority for the September 2027 intake. Parents need to apply separately through Coventry City Council.
Small-group Stay and Play is followed by progressively longer sessions. Parents may stay throughout the first session or leave if their child is settled.
