Little Wrens Nursery at Longcot and Fernham

Little Wrens combines provision attached to Wren Class with access to a purpose-designed Forest School area. This is the nursery at Longcot and Fernham Church of England Primary School, on Kings Lane in Longcot. Children are aged 3-4; the Wren Class description identifies eight Little Wrens, a group count rather than a stated capacity.

Ofsted judged early years provision Good at the inspection on 1 and 2 July 2025. That judgement covers the school's early years, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) organises learning into seven areas instead of separate school subjects. For parents, that means conversation, play and practical exploration have learning purposes alongside early reading and number work.

Reading begins with noticing sounds: nursery learning includes recognising rhymes, clapping out syllables and finding words that start alike. Spoken-language goals include sustained conversations about stories and using talk to develop play with friends. These are foundations for both understanding books and explaining an idea.

Maths is similarly concrete. Children work towards matching small quantities to numerals, comparing amounts and choosing shapes for building. The emphasis is on understanding what a number or shape means, with objects and everyday problems providing the context.

Outdoors, a purpose-designed Forest School area serves children from nursery onwards. Sessions are led by someone with FSA Level 3 Leader training. Early years children begin once they can understand the safety rules; activities respond to the season and weather, and children choose what to pursue from the leader's suggestions. This gives decision-making a practical place in the day. Difficult weather can shorten sessions, while unsafe conditions prevent outdoor sessions altogether.

There is a teaching consideration alongside that freedom. In July 2025, adult questioning in early years was uneven, sometimes leaving children's ideas insufficiently explored. Developing staff expertise in these exchanges was an improvement priority. Families should weigh how adults extend play and conversation alongside the activities themselves.

Language support includes WellComm assessment in EYFS. Across the school, SEND provision includes ear defenders and wobble cushions, with the library serving as a quieter space for a break. These are school resources, rather than nursery-specific rooms or equipment.

For children with SEND, parents can arrange conversations or meetings, and home-school communication books are used where helpful. Pupil Profile Reviews and EHCP Target Reviews take place three times a year, giving families recurring opportunities to discuss support and progress. Specialist services are involved after discussion with parents.

Starting arrangements can also be adapted for children with SEND: visits and transition timetables help staff plan around individual needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the relevant deadline. Follow Oxfordshire County Council's admissions timetable.

For children with SEND, transition documents and meetings between teachers pass information to the next class. This supports continuity of care and teaching; it is separate from the allocation of a school place.

Contact the school office at office@laf.cambrianlt.org or on 01793 782381 for nursery enquiries. An enquiry form provides another contact route, and school visits can be arranged through the office.

The site has a disabled parking space and an accessible toilet. For families planning a visit, these are useful practical features alongside the classroom access arrangements.