Whoberley Hall Primary School Nursery

Half-termly themes shaped around children’s interests give Whoberley Hall’s nursery its starting point. This is the school’s own provision for three-year-olds on Overdale Road in Coventry, with a nursery class teacher within an early years team. Learning follows children’s needs as well as planned themes, rather than treating the youngest children as a smaller version of an older class.

The nursery belongs to a community primary school whose stated ethos centres on valuing each child. Its setting includes substantial school grounds: an allotment, an amphitheatre and a pond sit alongside a Forest School area. These are school facilities, rather than a description of a separate nursery garden.

The nursery timetable runs from 9am to 3pm, with lunch between noon and 1pm. That gives the day a clear midday break and a finish time families can plan around.

Development Matters and the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework guide planning and assessment. In parent language, learning includes expressing feelings, building friendships, listening and speaking, movement and self-care, alongside early reading, writing and mathematics. Imaginative work and exploring the world also belong in the programme. Half-termly themes bring these areas together and are adjusted to children’s interests and needs.

Read Write Inc begins in nursery through elements of the programme. The school uses a stage-based approach, so the relevant distinction is a child’s readiness rather than age alone. This introduces a named approach to early literacy without implying that nursery children complete the whole programme.

Outdoor learning is part of the school’s curriculum planning, using its Forest School and other outdoor spaces. In July 2024, Ofsted found that early years learning prepared children for subsequent learning. That finding concerns the early years provision within the school.

Staffing includes a nursery class teacher, EYFS teaching assistants and a nursery lunchtime supervisor. The EYFS phase leader also holds the SENCO role, connecting early years leadership with responsibility for special educational needs and disabilities.

Assessment is used across the school to shape children’s next learning steps and inform parents. The school’s behaviour ethos is based on unconditional positive regard, giving families a clear statement of how staff intend to treat children.

Lunch has its own place in the nursery timetable and a named staff role. The school’s January 2026 meal information includes a menu and separate allergen documents for its first and second weeks, useful documents to consider when discussing dietary needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Coventry Local Authority and meet the normal application deadline. Choosing the nursery and applying for Reception are separate decisions.

Once places have been allocated, the school arranges summer visits before the September start. Children meet staff, become familiar with the site and join a story session while parents receive information. This supports preparation for the move; it is separate from the allocation of places.

Visits can be arranged through the school office on 024 7667 3452 or at whoberleyoffice@whoberleyhall.coventry.sch.uk. A leadership team member conducts the tour and answers questions. For current nursery charges, contact the school.

Use the Overdale Road entrance when visiting, even if satnav directs you towards Wildcroft Road. Parking. The school has only a small staff car park and asks visitors to park carefully on the road. Allow for that when planning a visit.