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Nursery at Willenhall Community Primary School
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Dough Disco, waterproofs and hatching ducklings give Willenhall’s nursery day its character: finger exercises, outdoor play and encounters with living things sit alongside stories and number activities. This is the nursery class within Willenhall Community Primary School on St James Lane, Coventry. Children can join from the term after their third birthday, with morning, afternoon and all-day options.
At the inspection on 27 and 28 February 2024, Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Requires improvement. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating. In February 2024, children in early years enjoyed books, played cooperatively and had close bonds with familiar adults. Families should weigh those strengths alongside the early years judgement.
A session starts with children choosing activities inside. Key Worker Groups then bring them together to greet one another, discuss the day and hear a focus story. A longer stretch of play follows, with access to both indoor and outdoor spaces. Adults join children’s play to work on their next learning steps, giving individual development a place within activities children choose themselves.
Outdoor time continues whatever the weather, supported by wellies and waterproof clothing. Seasonal walks, a visiting farm and watching ducklings hatch extend learning beyond the classroom. These give children concrete things to observe and talk about. Before home time, the groups reconvene for a nursery rhyme, Dough Disco finger exercises, listening games and maths. Children staying all day also take part in either Play Project or Story Dough during the afternoon, both focused on language and literacy.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) shapes the curriculum: here, early learning takes practical forms such as conversation, stories, movement and exploration. Read Write Inc begins in Nursery, while Talk Through Stories develops vocabulary and understanding through books. Writing starts with making marks using tools such as paintbrushes and chalk, alongside movement that prepares children for later writing. Mastery of Number is the nursery’s named maths approach. There is also an EYFS construction area where children work together, connecting making things with cooperation.
Key Worker Groups provide recurring group activities within the session. The nursery team includes a class teacher and teaching assistants. For settling, staff can telephone parents with reassurance, and families receive updates about events in their child’s day. Craft-based stay and play sessions take place each half term, giving parents a regular opportunity to join nursery activities.
Early Years staff make home visits, and children with specific needs can have individual timetables. The school’s Inclusion Team brings together pastoral staff, the SEND Lead and an assistant headteacher to discuss identified needs. That provides a route for coordinating support around the child. The school building has a wheelchair lift, accessible toilets and a hygiene suite.
Children attending all day stay for lunch, choosing between a meal bought through school and food brought from home. Under-fives receive milk at break time without charge. Parents must sign an Early Years Accident Form following an accident involving a nursery child, keeping families involved in the care record.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no priority in the allocation criteria. Families must make a separate Reception application through Coventry City Council’s school admissions process, by the normal deadline. Nursery applications go directly to the school, so the two routes need separate attention.
Welcome meetings and transition events support starting school. These help families prepare for the change; they do not alter the admissions position.
The 15-hour pattern is every morning, 8:30am to 11:30am, or every afternoon, 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Families qualifying under government requirements can take 30-hour funded sessions running from 8:30am to 3:30pm each day. An additional daily hour is charged under that arrangement; contact the school office for current charges.
Nursery uniform allows jogging bottoms or leggings to make independent toileting easier, and Velcro shoes are recommended. Enquiries go to Admin@WillenhallPrimary.org or 02476 302 004. Prospective families can telephone to arrange a school viewing; visits require an appointment.
Children can start from the beginning of the term after they turn three.
The 15-hour option is every morning from 8:30am to 11:30am or every afternoon from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Eligible families can use 30-hour funded sessions from 8:30am to 3:30pm each day, with a charge for the additional daily hour.
Children stay for lunch and can bring food from home or have a meal purchased through school.
Staff can call parents with reassurance during settling. Families receive updates about their child’s day and can attend craft-based stay and play sessions each half term.
No. Attendance neither guarantees a place nor confers priority. Reception requires a separate application through Coventry City Council’s school admissions process.
