Ashton-under-Hill First School Nursery Review

A role play rocket, a meadow adventure and apples turned into crumble give a flavour of Acorn's activities in 2022 and 2023, the pre-school provision at Ashton-under-Hill First School. Stories prompted practical activities, with children building, investigating and imagining rather than simply listening. The nursery also joined school celebrations and spent time with older children, connecting those activities to the wider school.

In March 2022, Ofsted found that nursery children made a positive start, with attentive adults encouraging independence and interest in learning. That gives parents a useful picture of the provision at that date, rather than a separate nursery inspection grade.

Examples from Acorn's 2022 and 2023 activities included morning news sharing and looking through Learning Journey Books. These give children something personal to talk about before further play and exploration. A school garden visit involved picking vegetables, then investigating them through touch, smell and, for some children, taste.

Books have supplied the starting point for imaginative play. Terrific Trains prompted a pretend train, rhythm activities and listening games using instruments. Children numbered carriages and programmed Beebots, bringing early number work and instructions into the same theme. The Way Back Home inspired a rocket in the role play area and individual models made from reused materials. These examples connect stories with things children can make and manipulate.

Outdoor activities in these historical examples were equally tangible. Children explored water flowing through chutes, practised balance on soft play equipment and investigated the meadow. During 30 Days Wild, herbs, bark rubbings and leaf perfume brought attention to texture, scent and sound. Physical resources gave the activities purpose: children investigated water flow in the tray and observed ewes and lambs in the meadow.

Number learning has used concrete objects. Children used apples for counting and comparing sizes, and also made apple sauce and crumble. In March 2022, adults used mathematics resources effectively in early years. Here, the practical examples show how counting and comparison can become part of play.

Getting to know other children and learning daily routines have featured in the welcome for new starters. Emotional language has also had a place: The Colour Monster prompted conversations about feelings, alongside a shared picture activity. Such activities give children a starting point for expressing how they feel.

In March 2022, staff monitored nursery development and arranged additional help promptly, including language support informed by a speech and language therapist. Nursery children with SEND achieved well at that time. A separate, school-wide concern was that individual education plans needed more precise descriptions of support, alongside staff training. Families considering additional support should distinguish that wider concern from the positive nursery-specific finding.

Food has appeared as an activity, too. Children made and ate ice cream during a seaside theme, linking preparation and tasting with their pretend shop.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route by the applicable deadline.

Shared experiences are a different matter from admission. Nursery children have joined Reception children for a session about satellites, while an end-of-year Pirate Party marked the next step for children moving on. These experiences give children contact with others and a way to recognise the change ahead; they do not secure a place.

The nursery is part of the school on Elmley Road, Ashton-under-Hill, Evesham, WR11 7SW. For nursery enquiries, the school telephone number is 01386881333.