Kingsley St John's CofE Primary School Nursery Review

Little Wrens gives three-year-olds a place within Kingsley St John's school life, with Forest School and music among the experiences extending into nursery. This is the school's own preschool provision on Hollow Lane in Kingsley, within a Church of England primary school.

The school aims to make children's happiness and sense of security the starting point for learning. Its early years leadership sits with the assistant head, who also holds the school SEND coordinator role, linking responsibility for early learning and additional needs.

Outdoor exploration gives this provision its clearest character. Forest School sessions extend to all children, and music teaching begins in the nursery year. These bring outdoor learning and musical skills into the youngest children's education rather than reserving them for older pupils.

In 2022–2023, nursery children belonged to the mixed Nursery and Reception Robins group. Their outdoor activities included making things in a mud kitchen, experimenting with sand and water, using a playhouse and riding bikes. An adventure playground provided climbing opportunities, while a stage and instruments supported dressing up and performance. There was also a quieter outdoor area for small-world play.

Indoors, that year's provision included playdough, construction, an investigation area and activities for practising small hand movements. A reading corner and reflection space offered quieter choices. Daily small-group work covered phonics and number skills, which children could then use in play. Letters and Sounds shaped the phonics teaching, supported by Jolly Phonics resources. The combination put small-group teaching alongside opportunities to explore and practise.

Support for additional needs connects with early years leadership. The school has completed the Autism Service Social Communication Programme and is recognised as an Autism Inclusive School. Across the school, a higher-level teaching assistant uses Wellcomm and Elklan training for speech and language interventions. An assistant supporting the EYFS class has training relating to autism, Down's syndrome and Makaton signing. These are concrete areas of staff preparation for families considering communication and developmental needs.

In the 2022–2023 Robins group, parents were encouraged to help children become more independent as the term progressed, including entering school with less parental help. Staff were available for morning conversations, and families could share achievements from home. That gave parents ways to pass on everyday news as well as celebrate progress beyond the classroom.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. For the September 2022 intake, Reception applications were handled centrally by Cheshire West and Chester Council. Confirm the current application route and deadline before applying.

Treat choosing nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions. Familiarity with the school does not itself secure admission.

To enquire about a nursery place or arrange a school visit, telephone the office on 01244 738434. The school can also be contacted at admin@kingsley-st-johns.cheshire.sch.uk.

For the 2022–2023 Robins group, families were asked to provide a labelled reusable water bottle each day. Spare clothes could stay at school for accidents or messy activities, and a waterproof coat was essential because children could spend a substantial part of the day outside. These practical requirements matched the group's emphasis on outdoor play.