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Nursery at Christow Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A tree house, mud kitchen and covered deck give Christow’s pre-school a distinctly outdoor character. Children attend from age two until they begin school, learning through play in a purpose-built building on the Christow Primary School site. The nursery has its own indoor and outdoor spaces, alongside access to school facilities. That gives young children a separate base while allowing them to take part in school life.
The outdoor provision is more than a playground. An enclosed garden and a Forest School site beside the building provide different settings for exploration, while a quiet book area offers a change of pace indoors.
Children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage, with learning organised around seven areas and topics that encourage curiosity about their surroundings. Adults plan activities, but children also choose what to explore and work on. Small-group and larger-group activities introduce new experiences and opportunities to work together. The balance gives children time to pursue an interest as well as join shared learning.
Talk for Writing brings stories into play through acting, retelling and story maps. A rhyme chosen each week adds poetry and rhythm, while phase 1 phonics games introduce early sound activities. Preschool maths uses practical resources, stories and everyday experiences, making ideas concrete rather than relying on abstract explanations.
Continuous access between indoor and outdoor spaces allows play to extend beyond the building. The covered deck accommodates water, sand and musical activities in different weather; cooking activities use a kitchen area, and creative art activities take place daily. Role play and books add further choices indoors.
Forest School occupies one morning each week for early years children. A level 3 qualified Forest School teacher is part of the provision, and the adjacent site includes a sheltered space, fire pit and bug hotel as well as the mud kitchen and tree house. Christow aims to help children develop responsibility for the natural world, with opportunities to practise teamwork and take risks through outdoor learning.
Settling begins at home. Each new child has a home visit involving the pre-school leader and another staff member, giving adults a chance to learn about the child in familiar surroundings. Before starting, children can attend taster sessions with a parent or carer. These introductions let families meet the people and become familiar with the setting together.
Tapestry observations help staff plan individual next steps. Parent meetings, workshops and an online learning journal provide further links between home and nursery, so communication extends beyond the initial settling period. Children with SEND can receive help from the school’s SEN advisor or, following referral, outside agencies.
Lunch club runs daily, and children can have a school meal prepared on site. Families therefore have a cooked-meal option alongside their chosen attendance pattern. Allergy enquiries go to allergy@educationsouthwest.org.uk.
Attending Christow’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal school admissions process; nursery attendance should not be treated as a secured school place.
Familiarity with school life is a separate benefit. Preschool children can join events such as harvest festival and sports day where appropriate. Reception children also visit the preschool during afternoons. These contacts provide continuity between the stages, rather than an admissions entitlement.
Opening hours are 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. Families choose sessions to suit their child, subject to availability, and lunch club occupies the 12 to 1 slot. This makes the session pattern an important part of planning the family’s week.
Funded provision is offered, with charges for additional or unfunded hours and lunch club. Contact the school for current charges. To enquire or arrange a visit to discuss your child’s requirements, telephone 01647 252542 or email reception@christowprimary.org.uk.
Children can attend from age two until they start school.
The nursery opens Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm. Lunch club runs from 12 to 1, and families choose sessions subject to availability.
New children receive a home visit from the pre-school leader and another staff member. Taster sessions before starting can be attended with a parent or carer.
Children have access to outdoor play spaces and a covered deck. Early years children spend one morning each week at Forest School, whose features include a mud kitchen, bug hotel and tree house.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a place at Christow Primary School, and families must apply separately for Reception.
