Lady Seaward's Church of England Primary School Nursery

Friendships begin with gentle routines at Lady Seaward’s nursery. In December 2024, children were supported to build relationships and learn how to get along, giving the youngest pupils a social foundation for learning together.

The nursery sits on the school site in Clyst St George, outside Exeter, and includes provision for two-year-old children. It belongs to Class 1, the Foundation Stage Unit combining Nursery and Reception. Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good on 10 and 11 December 2024; this is an early years judgement within the school inspection.

Play gives children a way into learning. Across the early years, children choose activities as well as spending time on learning directed by adults. Staff use questions and conversation to extend what children understand, with talking and vocabulary a central focus. That makes communication part of the activity itself rather than a separate exercise.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) uses Development Matters to organise learning by age band. For nursery children, the emphasis includes language, physical development and learning to manage feelings and relationships. Alongside these come early literacy and mathematics, creative expression and understanding the world. The combination gives children opportunities to develop practical and social skills alongside their first academic steps.

Exploration, sustained involvement and thinking through ideas shape the approach. Children can investigate through play, keep working at something that interests them and try out their own thinking. Learning also extends into the school grounds, bringing the surrounding environment into their experiences beyond the classroom.

In December 2024, staff understood the youngest children’s needs and built relationships that helped them learn. Toilet training was a concrete example of cooperation with families: staff worked with parents and carers on this everyday care routine. For a child still developing independence, that connection between home and nursery matters.

Family involvement also includes consultation meetings, reports and parent workshops across the early years. Parents can contribute wow moments from home, such as getting dressed independently or noticing seasonal changes. These give staff a fuller picture of a child’s achievements beyond the classroom.

For families considering additional needs, the school provides a Speech and Language Parent Portal and directs parents to DIAS, Devon Information and Advice Service for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. DIAS offers free, impartial SEND advice. These are school-level resources that parents can use when thinking about their child’s support.

A separate application. Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply again through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. The Reception application route is through Devon County Council. Treat choosing nursery care and applying for a school place as separate decisions, even though both stages sit within the Foundation Stage Unit.

Visits can be arranged by appointment for parents and children considering the school. A visit is optional and does not influence whether a school place is offered. Contact the school office on 01392 873629 or email office@clyst-st-george.devon.sch.uk to arrange an appointment.