Piddle Valley Church of England First School Nursery Review

Forest Class gives preschool children a shared early years base, with older Reception children learning and playing alongside them. That mixed-age arrangement shapes the nursery's character: preschool is part of the school's daily learning life, rather than a separate setting.

At the November 2023 inspection, Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Good. The early years curriculum matched children's needs, with relationships and language central to learning. This is an early years judgement within the school's inspection, rather than a separate nursery rating.

Play has a planned purpose here. Adults guide some activities, while children initiate others, giving them opportunities both to follow an idea and to explore their own interests. Families can contribute topic suggestions prompted by a much-loved book, an outing or something their child has become curious about. That gives home interests a practical place in nursery learning.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together seven learning areas. In parent language, it combines movement, communication and relationships with early reading, number, creativity and discovering the world. Learning happens outside as well as indoors, through exploration and active play. In November 2023, indoor learning areas were organised around developing language and communication; children explored planned activities and built independence.

Drawing Club connects early literacy with language and fine motor development. Other named approaches include Charanga for music and Jigsaw for personal and social learning. Little Wandle for Letters and Sounds Revised supports phonics, while Master the Curriculum and NCETM support mathematics. These sit alongside play, giving adults frameworks for planning children's next steps.

The Foundation Lead holds paediatric first-aid training. For additional learning needs, the preschool lead is the first contact for parents, with the special educational needs coordinator involved in discussions and meetings. This gives families a route from an initial concern to an agreed support plan.

Support can include activities adapted to the individual and help from a preschool keyworker, teacher or teaching assistant. Progress is monitored through observations and team discussion, with parents involved when specialist assessment needs considering. The school and preschool have experience supporting autism, speech and language difficulties, and literacy or numeracy needs; external agencies can contribute where required.

My Concern is used across the school and preschool to record safeguarding concerns. Staff can pass information immediately to the safeguarding lead, giving concerns a shared route for action. Parents also receive curriculum information, including suggestions for supporting learning at home.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate school application through Dorset Council and meet the normal application deadline. Dorset manages school admissions on behalf of the trust.

Shared learning and play in the early years base can make the surroundings familiar before that next step. Keep that everyday continuity separate from admissions: familiarity with the classroom does not secure a school place.

Sessions run during term time, Monday to Friday. Mornings are 8:30am to noon; afternoons run from noon to 3:15pm. Parents select the days and times they want using a booking table. Funding forms go home three weeks before each term ends, ready for the following term, and every preschool family completes one, whether receiving funding or not.

Funding includes up to 15 hours each week for three- and four-year-olds. Eligible families can receive up to 30 hours from the term after their child's third birthday, provided they apply before the deadline. Additional funded hours depend on capacity. Piddle Valley may offer only some extra hours, or may be unable to offer the full 30, because of places or staffing ratios. Families relying on longer attendance need to factor that condition into childcare planning.

Eligibility codes for 30-hour funding require renewal every three months. Additional paid sessions depend on availability; contact the school office for current charges and booking enquiries. Visits can be arranged through the office on 01300 348219 or by emailing office@piddlevalley.wessex.ac.