Shining Stars Nursery at Wallace Fields

Language, feelings and learning to play together give Shining Stars Nursery its clearest character. This is the school’s own nursery at Wallace Fields Infant School and Nursery in Ewell, Epsom, taking children aged 2 to 4. The early years provision has a dedicated building and an outdoor learning area, giving younger children space within the school site.

Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 30 November and 1 December 2021. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separate nursery inspection.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the nursery’s curriculum framework: learning expectations for this stage of childhood. Alongside it, Wallace Fields uses its E-Curriculum, linking learning with opportunities to develop language, knowledge and personal skills. A topic approach connects different areas of learning, giving children opportunities to use a skill again in another context.

Conversation has a clear purpose here. In November and December 2021, early years staff helped children build the vocabulary needed to communicate their ideas. Children also practised listening, sharing and waiting for a turn, alongside learning to understand emotions in themselves and others. These are useful foundations for joining in with a group and making needs understood.

The dedicated early years outdoor area adds a physical setting for learning beyond the classroom. Character education also extends to nursery children. Kindness, friendship and effort are among the school’s explicitly taught values, so learning how to treat others forms part of the educational approach, alongside developing knowledge.

Support extends beyond the class teacher. The school and nursery’s inclusion team includes a SEND coordinator, an inclusion lead and an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA). For families, that provides distinct roles for discussing learning needs and emotional support.

Wallace Fields aims to adapt provision to children’s individual needs and abilities. Its graduated approach to special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) begins with adapting teaching for the individual child. The emphasis is on adjusting the learning experience, rather than expecting each child to approach it in the same way.

For families using English as an additional language, the school aims to make communication clear and accessible. Parents are encouraged to ask for help even if their English is limited, supporting their involvement in their child’s learning.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Applications for the usual intake are managed through Surrey’s coordinated primary admissions scheme.

Treat choosing nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions. A nursery place should not be taken as confirmation of a later school place; the Reception application still needs to be completed by the relevant deadline.

Nursery enquiries go to the Early Years Lead at shiningstars@wfis.sfet.org.uk. This is also the contact route for arranging a nursery tour, giving families a practical way to explore the setting before choosing it.

The school is on Wallace Fields in Epsom, postcode KT17 3AS. Its telephone number is 020 8394 0647.