St Andrew's Nursery Review

A forest of over an acre and a weekly Forest School session give nursery life at St Andrew's a clear outdoor emphasis. Dedicated outdoor areas for the early years classrooms bring that exploration into everyday learning, too. This is the school's own nursery in Hampton, Evesham, with provision that includes two-year-olds.

Early years provision received a Good judgement at the Ofsted inspection on 13 and 14 December 2022. That judgement covers the school's early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery. Positive connections between adults, children and families helped children feel secure and cheerful at that time.

Water play provides a concrete example of how the environment supports learning. The two-year-old water wall sends water in one direction; elsewhere in the nursery, children can alter its route. This gives children something practical to investigate, with opportunities to try changes and see their effects.

Weekly Forest School sessions take nursery children into woodland stretching towards farmland south of the school. Plants and wildlife give them real things to explore. Outdoor learning has a regular place in the nursery week, alongside dedicated outdoor learning spaces.

The nursery curriculum brings together communication, physical development, emotions and relationships, early literacy, mathematics, creativity and understanding the world. These are the areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS): learning extends beyond letters and numbers to how children talk, move and relate to others. White Rose Maths resources support early years number learning. The nursery aims to prepare children for their next stage through activities planned deliberately by staff.

Collective worship also includes the nursery. The CREW pupil group contributes worship for nursery children, connecting their experience to the school's Christian character.

Relationships are a meaningful part of the care picture. In December 2022, relationships between early years children, staff and parents contributed to children's happiness and confidence. For families, that makes the adult relationship part of the child's learning experience as well as their emotional security.

Communication support operates across the school. Visual timetables, vocabulary displays and Signalong training give staff practical ways to support understanding and expression. Speech and Language Therapy includes individual and group work, with feedback for parents to help continue support at home.

Emails, text updates and Class Dojo keep families connected with school and class activities. Children under five are entitled to daily free milk, and children should bring a labelled, refillable water bottle. For those attending breakfast club, breakfast is included, with options such as bagels, fruit and scrambled eggs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the normal deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as separate decisions.

Curriculum continuity. In December 2022, the early years learning sequence needed clearer definition and better communication to teachers further up the school. This affected their understanding of children's earlier learning. For families, continuity matters alongside preparation for the next classroom: adults need to understand what a child has already learned.

Pre-booked nursery children can attend breakfast club from 7.45am until 9am. School staff run wraparound care in the library, giving it a distinct indoor base. Booking forms are available through the school, including outside the office. Ask the school for current charges.

For nursery enquiries, contact office@st-andrews.worcs.sch.uk or telephone 01386 41351. An expression of interest provides another way to begin contact. Visits can be arranged through the school, allowing families to get to know the setting before making their decision.