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Nursery at Fairford Church of England 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Woodland exploration and a weekly PE session in Eleri Hall give Little Explorers a clear identity: learning stretches beyond the classroom. Children aged two, three and four attend Fairford Church of England Primary School’s own Little Explorers nursery and pre-school, with separate rooms for the nursery and pre-school groups.
Both classrooms are large and bright. Each has its own staff team, supported by lunchtime supervisors. The distinction between the groups gives families a useful picture of the organisation: Little Explorers has two classroom bases rather than a single room spanning the whole age range.
Development Matters guides the curriculum. In plain parent language, planned activities build conversation, relationships, early number understanding and physical skills, while children’s interests help shape spontaneous learning. The two approaches connect, so an interest can become the starting point for practising a core skill.
The nursery routine is a flexible guide that can change each day. Between 8:45 and 9:15, children settle and play; circle time follows, with registration and nappy care. Free-flow activities lead into a snack break from 10:00 to 10:20. Later in the morning, focused work on maths and phonics sits alongside play, followed by outdoor movement activities. Stories or singing accompany the lead-up to lunch or home time.
After lunch, quiet books and relaxation provide a pause before further free-flow play. Group activities and another outdoor movement period follow, with the final group and home-time slot running from 2:35 to 2:45. These are nursery routine times, rather than a booking menu for both age groups.
Outdoor learning takes place in the school’s woods at least weekly. Children investigate seasonal changes and the insects and animals living there. Weekly PE uses Eleri Hall, giving movement its own place in the programme. In spring 2026, Little Explorers explored blossom, weather, flowers and newborn animals, then considered how emergency and medical services help people, including through art activities.
Language receives deliberate attention. At the November 2024 Ofsted inspection, nursery children practised useful vocabulary, with two-year-olds learning a weekday name and recognising a colour. The practical emphasis is on listening and using words, rather than simply hearing adults talk.
Every child receives a key worker on starting. That adult helps with settling, develops relationships with the child and parents, tracks development and holds regular progress meetings. Families therefore have an identified person for discussing how their child is getting on.
Nappy care appears in the nursery routine, as do snack, lunch and a quiet relaxation period. The school’s meal service uses Dolce for hot food cooked on site; packed lunches are another option. Its food rules include a nut restriction, and children under five can receive free milk when parents complete the application.
For additional needs, the school SENCO coordinates support and involves parents in reviewing it. My Plan can formalise agreed help. Accessible toilets and access points are school facilities, and additional adults can support children with specific needs. These arrangements give families concrete starting points for discussing their child’s support.
Attending Little Explorers does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Gloucestershire County Council’s school admissions route. Treat that application as a distinct step from joining the nursery.
For children with SEND moving between classes, information passes to the next teacher in advance, and children can visit their new classroom and meet the teacher. A transition book may also be used. This is support for the change of class, separate from the allocation of a place.
For starting enquiries, session changes and funding enquiries, email preschool.admin@fairford.gloucs.sch.uk. Key-worker meetings and notifications about a different collecting adult use littleexplorers25@fairford.gloucs.sch.uk; sickness and absence are reported through the Portal.
Collection timing. From Term 5 of 2025/26, collection after the final Treetops session attracts a late fee. Little Explorers’ Treetops session ends at 5:00pm, so families using it should plan collection around that finish.
Informal school visits can be arranged through the office on 01285 712543.
The school’s nursery provision caters for two-, three- and four-year-olds, with separate nursery and pre-school classrooms.
Yes. Outdoor learning in the school’s woods takes place at least once a week, exploring seasons, animals and insects. There is also a weekly PE session in Eleri Hall.
Each child is assigned a key worker who helps them settle, builds relationships with parents and monitors development. Regular parent meetings cover progress.
No. Families must apply separately for Reception through Gloucestershire County Council’s school admissions route.
Email preschool.admin@fairford.gloucs.sch.uk for starting enquiries, session changes and funding enquiries.
