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Nursery at Aureus 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Two-, three- and four-year-olds share one room at Aureus Primary School Nursery. This mixed-age model gives the provision its defining shape: children join a nursery group spanning different stages of early childhood, rather than separate rooms for each age.
The nursery sits on the school site at Clover Fields, Great Western Park, Didcot. Children can start from age two. At the Ofsted inspection on 11 and 12 October 2022, early years provision was graded Outstanding. That judgement covers the school's early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Learning starts with routines and relationships. In October 2022, children in early years followed consistent routines, practised sharing turns and considered other children's needs. They also asked others to join their play. These are practical foundations for taking part in a group, alongside the learning itself.
Language has specific support behind it. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) team uses WellComm assessments when children join and during their early years to identify communication needs and guide extra help. Word Aware supports vocabulary learning, while Colourful Semantics uses visual prompts to help children construct sentences. Early Talk Boost provides targeted language support in early years where needed; interventions run according to children's needs, rather than automatically throughout the year.
The session pattern also shapes the day. Families can choose mornings or afternoons across the working week, or longer days. The 30-hour pattern has a shorter Wednesday, so it does not mean five identical days.
Settling begins before the first session. The induction programme for September EYFS starters includes home or virtual visits, conversations about children's interests and needs, and opportunities to stay and play. A planned transition programme in September supports children as they start. Tapestry provides an EYFS communication channel for families.
For children needing additional support, parents are encouraged to contact the SENCo before admission so staff can plan the opening weeks around their child's strengths and needs. Support is reviewed through an assess, plan, do, review cycle with families involved. Children who are still learning to use the toilet can participate in activities, with staff and parents working together on toilet training.
Lunch can come from the school kitchen or from home as a healthy packed lunch. Families choosing school meals should obtain current charges from the school.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. There is no automatic transfer: families must make a separate application through the normal local-authority process by the deadline for their child's entry year. For September 2026 entry, applications went through Oxfordshire's coordinated online process and the deadline was 15 January 2026.
For that 2026–2027 cycle, nursery attendance conferred no Reception priority. The priority categories covered children in care or previously in care, siblings and qualifying children of staff, followed by other applicants, with distance used within categories. Familiarity with the school does not replace the application.
Transition support is a separate matter. Joining-school activities include a welcome meeting, a home visit and a classroom taster, giving children and parents opportunities to meet staff and explore the classroom before starting.
Term-time sessions run Monday to Friday. The 15-hour choices are mornings, 8:40am to 11:40am, or afternoons, 12:10pm to 3:10pm. The 30-hour option runs 8:40am to 3:10pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, finishing at 12:40pm on Wednesday. A 32.5-hour option keeps the 3:10pm finish every weekday; a Wednesday afternoon top-up is also offered for 30-hour places.
Fully funded places are offered, which the nursery describes as having no hidden charges. Funding can be used within the main opening hours; paid sessions are available for children who do not qualify, alongside optional top-ups. Contact the school for current charges and funding eligibility.
Uniform pairs a white polo shirt with a grey sweatshirt or cardigan and black bottoms. A plain grey sweatshirt or cardigan may also be worn during the week. Enquiries can go to info@aureusprimaryschool.org or 01235 754411, and nursery applications use an online form.
The nursery uses a blended model, with two-, three- and four-year-olds in the same room. Entry is possible from age two.
No. Families apply separately through the normal local-authority process. Nursery attendance gave no priority in the 2026–2027 Reception admission arrangements.
The nursery operates during term time only, Monday to Friday.
The session finishes at 12:40pm. An optional top-up runs from 12:40pm to 3:10pm.
Yes. Children may bring a healthy packed lunch instead of having a meal prepared by the school kitchen.
