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Nursery at Hungerford Primary 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Stories, songs and nursery rhymes give Hungerford’s Preschool its clearest character: children begin learning about sounds through familiar language and music. This is the nursery class within Hungerford Primary Academy on School Crescent in Crewe, with entry considered for children who turn three before the term they wish to join.
There are 24 places in each of the morning and afternoon sessions. In March 2025, Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Two three-hour sessions shape the day: mornings run from 8.40am to 11.40am, and afternoons from 12.10pm to 3.10pm. For families choosing a half-day pattern, these are distinct blocks with their own start and finish, making collection times an important part of the childcare decision.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning and development for young children. Language, physical development and learning to relate to others are its starting points. These connect with early maths and literacy, creative expression and understanding the world. Play, exploration and active learning are ways of developing those skills, indoors and outdoors; the framework allows activities to follow children’s interests and needs.
At Hungerford, learning sounds through rhymes, singing and stories gives that framework a concrete nursery focus. In March 2025, early years activities helped children develop knowledge for their later learning. The emphasis is on building foundations through purposeful activity.
Settling begins with preparation for families. A Preschool intake evening takes place in May, when parents receive information about the teaching team, home visits and visits introduced in stages. This gives families a chance to understand the starting arrangements before their child begins.
Tapestry connects home and nursery learning. Staff share examples of children’s new learning, and parents can add moments from home, allowing children’s interests beyond Preschool to contribute to the conversation. Early years practitioners also share descriptions of the learning planned for each week, giving parents topics to explore together at home.
For concerns about special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), the class teacher is the first contact. Unresolved concerns can then go to the SEND coordinator and Inclusion Manager through the school office. That provides a clear sequence for discussing support.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal local authority process and meet the deadline for their child’s admission round. Cheshire East residents apply through the council’s online admissions system.
For the 2026–2027 admission cycle, nursery attendance conferred no priority: the criteria covered care status, siblings, catchment and distance. Families should therefore keep the nursery choice and Reception application separate.
For children admitted to Reception, a planned transition week precedes expected full-time attendance, with flexibility where that would better suit the child. This is a starting arrangement, not an admissions advantage.
Both 15-hour and 30-hour places are offered. Allocation begins with families’ preferences for 15 hours; additional places are then offered to children eligible for 30 hours if space remains. The longer pattern is conditional on both eligibility and capacity.
Preschool application forms go to the Main Office with a copy of the child’s birth certificate. Children born outside the UK also need a passport copy. Enquiries can be made on 01270 902057 or by emailing hungerfordoffice@sbmat.org.
Access to the office and school car park between 8.30am and 4pm uses an intercom, with staff granting entry. The morning session’s 11.40am finish and afternoon session’s 12.10pm start are the relevant times for planning Preschool handovers.
Children who turn three before the term they wish to enrol can be considered for a place.
The morning session runs from 8.40am to 11.40am. The afternoon session runs from 12.10pm to 3.10pm.
Yes. Families’ preferences for 15-hour places are considered first, with additional places offered to eligible children for 30 hours if space remains.
Staff share children’s learning through Tapestry and describe the learning planned each week. Parents can contribute examples from home.
No. Reception requires a separate local authority application. Nursery attendance was not a priority criterion for the 2026–2027 admission cycle.
