Criftins CofE Primary School and Nursery

Wednesday means outdoor clothes and wellies; Friday brings PE. Nursery children at Criftins belong to Class 1, a mixed nursery and Reception class, so their early years experience sits within the school’s daily life. The provision welcomes children aged 3 years and above. A nursery keyperson works alongside the class teacher.

Forest School gives the week an outdoor anchor. On Wednesdays, children wear clothes for outdoor learning and bring wellies in a bag labelled with their name. Friday’s PE session adds another opportunity for movement, with children wearing their kit throughout the day rather than changing at school. These are practical routines parents can prepare for together with their child.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) includes learning through materials, pictures and exploration. In art, children experiment with mixing colours, combine materials with different textures and choose what to use for their own creations. Drawing develops from enclosed shapes towards pictures with more detail, including faces. Children also represent feelings in paintings and drawings. This gives expression a place alongside developing control of tools such as scissors.

Geography starts with familiar surroundings. Early years children explore simple maps, describe routes they know and practise positional language. Stories, discussion and observation help them describe their immediate environment and explore the natural world. The emphasis is on connecting words and pictures with places children can recognise.

A nursery keyperson provides a distinct role within the mixed class team. For communication about care, the class teacher is the first contact: the school gives that role responsibility for children’s medical, social and pastoral needs.

Support for special educational needs and disabilities follows an assess, plan, do, review cycle. Parents contribute their concerns and views, and receive the support documents and targets. Teaching assistants may work with a child individually or in a group when the class teacher considers this necessary; parents are told the purpose and frequency when support begins.

Daily adult-modelled conversation is part of the school’s EYFS communication provision. Across the school, adaptations can include visual timetables, extra processing time and advance teaching of vocabulary. Each class has a reflection area, and the site is wheelchair accessible. These provide concrete starting points for discussing a child’s access and support needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Shropshire Council, which allocates places using the school’s oversubscription criteria. For the September 2026 intake, the deadline was Thursday 15 January 2026; that application cycle is past.

Sharing Class 1 with Reception gives nursery children familiarity with the mixed class setting. That daily connection is separate from the allocation of a school place.

Uniform is worn on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, with outdoor clothing on Wednesdays and PE kit on Fridays. Bookbags and books come in each day.

Nursery enquiries can be sent through the Class 1 enquiry form. Prospective families can also arrange a school tour by emailing admin@cft.mmat.co.uk, giving them an opportunity to see the setting before making their choice.