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Nursery at Bishops Cannings Church of England 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Play, conversation and shared wellie walks give Bishops Cannings Pre School its character. Children aged two to four have their own purpose-built unit attached directly to Bishops Cannings Church of England Primary School. There are 28 places in each session, with two sessions daily across five days a week. This is a nursery within the school grounds, with regular shared activities between nursery children and the school's Reception class.
Ofsted judged early years provision Good at the inspection on 20 and 21 June 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately graded nursery.
Learning starts with play and children's interests. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework, with seven educational programmes and attention to how children learn. In parent language, the approach brings learning into exploration, interaction and play, while taking account of each child's development. Cultural celebrations and special days also feature.
Activities children may take part in include dressing up, painting, games, songs, stories, and sand and water play. Each has a purpose: pretend play gives children opportunities to share and consider another person's perspective; mixing colours or joining paper pieces exercises small hand movements and problem-solving. Songs introduce rhythm and word sounds. Stories extend language and imagination.
Five to Thrive adds a named approach built around responding, engaging, relaxing, playing and talking. The nursery also promotes recognising emotions and resolving disagreements, making learning to get along part of the day. Its spiritual values include kindness, persistence and gratitude.
Shared activities with Unicorn Class, the school's Reception group, include wellie walks, festive parties, Easter egg hunts and Golden Time. These bring nursery children into contact with the next class through familiar play. In June 2023, established routines and an emphasis on vocabulary and language were strengths of the pre-school provision.
Communication has a practical tool in Tapestry. Parents can see photographs and observations in their child's learning journal and contribute experiences from home. Children share these contributions with the group using a large screen, giving home experiences a place in nursery conversation.
Makaton accompanies speech for all children, including those with speech difficulties or who are bilingual. Signing therefore becomes a shared communication tool. Support also includes work with Speech Therapy and equipment adapted to children's needs. A nursery SENCo coordinates SEND provision, while the deputy manager holds the designated safeguarding lead role. Staff receive training to recognise possible abuse or neglect and follow a procedure for reporting concerns.
Cooked lunches are optional charged extras, arranged through Lataca. Families supply nappies, wipes and creams when needed. SEND enhancements carry no additional charge, an important practical distinction for families planning support.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal admissions process. Wiltshire residents apply through Wiltshire Council; those living elsewhere use their home local authority's application form.
For September 2026 entry, the deadline was midnight on 15 January 2026. That cycle is now past. Keep the Reception application separate from nursery bookings: shared activities with Unicorn Class build familiarity with children and routines, but do not secure admission.
Morning sessions run from 9am to noon, afternoons from noon to 3pm, and the full day from 9am to 3pm. Breakfast Club runs from 7.45am to 9am and After School Club from 3pm to 6pm, both based at the pre-school. Wraparound bookings can be made in hourly or 15-minute blocks.
Funding forms are completed at the start of each funding period. Funded places must begin before the council's headcount week, and the claim cannot change until the following funding period; extra hours requested after submission are charged. Funded hours themselves are free, with no charge to bridge the difference between council funding and nursery rates. Ask the pre-school for current charges.
Uniform is optional, including the pre-school jumper. Enquiries go to preschooladmin@bishopscannings.equamead.org or 01380 860661. Visits can be arranged through the pre-school office, giving families a direct route to meet the provision before choosing sessions.
Children aged two to four can attend, with 28 places per session.
Yes. Morning sessions are 9am to noon and afternoon sessions are noon to 3pm. A full-day option runs from 9am to 3pm.
No. A separate Reception application is required through Wiltshire Council, or your home local authority if you live outside Wiltshire.
Tapestry gives parents access to observations and photographs in their child's learning journal. Parents can also contribute experiences from home.
Cooked lunches are charged separately and arranged through Lataca. Parents provide any nappies, wipes and creams their child needs.
