Woodwater Academy Nursery Review

An outdoor stage, a reading shed and a story house give Woodwater Academy’s nursery its character: children can perform a story, build something or settle down with a book. Play follows their interests. The provision is part of the academy in Exeter and takes children from the term after their third birthday until they start primary school.

Early years provision was judged Good at the Ofsted inspection on 5 and 6 March 2024. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision; it is not a separate nursery rating.

The nursery has a large indoor area and a secure outdoor space, partly covered and intended for nursery and Foundation Stage children. Construction areas give children opportunities to design and build, while creative spaces support practical art. Outside, the stage makes room for dancing, singing and acting. Mark-making happens indoors and outdoors, so early writing is part of play across the setting.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines activities children choose with learning adults introduce. Early attention goes to physical development, relationships, emotions and communication. Learning then extends into numbers, literacy, creative expression and understanding the world. Plans take account of children’s abilities, needs and interests, giving adults a way to connect the next learning step with something a child already enjoys.

Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised begins in nursery through Foundations for Phonics. Books have a physical place too: the reading shed and story house offer spaces for stories alongside the busier activities. In March 2024, early years teaching placed clear emphasis on vocabulary, and nursery children developed familiarity with stories. This gives the day a language focus as well as a practical one.

Settling takes place in stages. First come two taster visits of 45 minutes, with a parent staying alongside their child. Two further settling visits last an hour each; parents leave their child and return at the end. The sequence introduces separation after children have experienced the nursery with a familiar adult.

Tapestry online learning journals record children’s learning and let parents follow it. Food fits the session pattern: breakfast includes a drink with toast or cereal, and the after-school session includes a drink and healthy snack at approximately 4:40pm. Children attending the morning session need a packed lunch or a paid school dinner. A school meal can also be booked for children staying all day; eligible children can claim free school meals only when attending all day.

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

Once a Reception offer has been accepted, summer-term Stay and Play sessions introduce children and parents to the classroom and staff. Parents gradually spend time away in the Community Room, with separation paced around the child’s comfort. The receiving teacher also visits the child’s nursery or pre-school. These arrangements support familiarity with the next setting; they do not secure admission.

Morning nursery runs from 8:45am to 12:15pm, followed by the afternoon session from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. Breakfast cover starts at 7:45am, and after-school care ends at 6:00pm. These options extend care around the nursery sessions.

Funded and paid bookings require a whole-term commitment. Additional sessions are charged for the place, including absences, with payment half-termly in advance. The nursery describes 15 funded hours per week from the term after a child’s third birthday, with 30 hours for eligible families. Contact the school for current charges.

For nursery enquiries or a visit, call 01392 274147 between 8:45am and 3:45pm, or email woodwater@thsp.org.uk to request a callback. Registration starts with a Nursery Registration of Interest Form.