St Edmund's Primary School Nursery

Play, rhymes and songs give this nursery its clearest character: an introduction to learning that begins with children taking part, rather than a description of formal lessons. St Edmund's Primary School opened its on-site provision for two-year-olds in September 2024. For families choosing nursery provision, that places the nursery within the same setting while keeping the focus on the youngest children's learning.

The school is in Hoxne, at Heckfield Green. The nursery's opening age is the useful starting point here; the wider school's age range and capacity should not be treated as nursery figures.

At the November 2024 inspection, children in early years were developing skills quickly through play and purposeful exchanges with adults. The practical distinction is adult involvement: play provides the activity, while conversation and interaction help turn it into learning. This is preparation for the next stage through children's everyday experiences.

Rhymes and songs begin when children join Nursery. They give the youngest children a way into the school's emphasis on reading before the discussion turns to books and written sounds. For a parent considering the nursery day, these are concrete activities to picture: children listening, joining in and engaging with language through music and rhyme.

In November 2024, phonics teaching was effective from early years onward. That adds a structured strand to the play-based learning. Rhymes and songs introduce the reading emphasis at nursery entry; phonics extends that work through teaching the sounds used in reading. These are distinct elements of the early learning described here, rather than a reason to judge the nursery by older pupils' results.

Adult interaction also matters when considering support. The November 2024 early-years findings linked children's learning to the way adults engaged with them during play. For families, this directs attention to the relationship between activity and adult help: children are learning through participation, with adults contributing to the process.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place at St Edmund's. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Choosing this nursery and applying for the next school stage are separate decisions.

The educational preparation described above should be understood separately from admission. Learning through play, beginning with rhymes and songs, and developing reading skills can prepare children for further learning. None of that should be read as an entitlement to a place. Keep the Reception application as a distinct task even if your child is already attending nursery.

For enquiries, telephone St Edmund's on 01379668283. Visits can be arranged by calling or emailing to make an appointment, giving families a direct way to see the setting before deciding. The school's address is Heckfield Green, Hoxne, Eye, IP21 5AD.