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Nursery at Deerhurst and Apperley 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Cooking, early communication and a gradual introduction to school life give Little Deers its preschool character. Attached to Deerhurst and Apperley Church of England Primary School in Apperley, it primarily caters for children aged 3-4. Children can join from 2 years 6 months when spaces permit. That younger starting point is conditional on availability.
The preschool aims to include families across the local community. Its connection to the school has a practical dimension: concerns about a child's development can be discussed with the school's special educational needs coordinator, while information about learning accompanies children into their next stage.
Play shapes the school's early years approach. Children choose activities with adult support, alongside experiences guided by adults. The Early Years Foundation Stage, or EYFS, brings together learning to communicate, manage feelings and relationships, and develop physical skills with early reading, maths, creativity and exploration of the world. These areas connect rather than operating as separate lessons.
The school aims to adapt activities to children's different stages of development. Its emphasis on practical experiences gives children opportunities to investigate ideas and try again when something proves difficult. Adult guidance and children's own choices both have a place.
Cooking is a concrete part of preschool activity: ingredients for children's cooking are included in termly invoicing. In July 2023, Ofsted identified a clear emphasis on speech and communication beginning in preschool. For parents, this makes language development a meaningful feature of the provision, rather than simply a preparation for later reading.
An induction session marks the start of attendance for charging purposes. This gives families a definite point from which their financial commitment begins. Snacks and cooking ingredients are included alongside regular attendance hours in invoices, so these consumables form part of the charging structure.
Developmental monitoring connects Little Deers with the school's SEND support. Staff discuss concerns with the special educational needs coordinator and take appropriate action. This provides a route for responding to emerging needs during preschool, before the move to school.
Attending Little Deers does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal local authority process, with a mid-January closing date. Gloucestershire residents apply through Gloucestershire County Council; families living elsewhere apply through their home authority.
The September 2024 admission criteria prioritised children in care or previously in care, siblings and distance from home. Nursery attendance was not one of those criteria. Families should treat preschool attendance and Reception allocation as separate decisions.
Transition activities address familiarity rather than admission entitlement. The Reception teacher visits preschool, and children visit the Reception classroom. Staff also transfer developmental information and the assessment profile, helping the receiving team understand the child rather than starting afresh.
Little Deers operates for 38 weeks a year. Its September 2024 funding arrangements accept up to 15 funded hours, with universal funding for 3-4-year-olds beginning in the term after their third birthday. Little Deers does not accept 30-hour funded places; entitlement can be split with another setting.
Termly invoices arrive by email and are paid through ParentPay. Hours beyond funded entitlement are charged separately. The preschool manager holds current rates.
Changes to attendance. Leaving or reducing hours requires six weeks' notice; shorter notice can leave payment or grant claims due for that period. Increases depend on management approval, so a larger attendance pattern cannot be assumed.
For enquiries, contact the school office at admin@deerhurst.gloucs.sch.uk or on 01452 780374.
It primarily caters for children aged 3-4. Children aged 2 years 6 months can attend when spaces are available.
No. A separate Reception application is required through the normal local authority route, with a mid-January deadline.
Little Deers accepts up to 15 funded hours and does not accept 30-hour funded places. Entitlement can be shared with another setting.
The Reception teacher visits preschool, children visit the Reception classroom, and staff pass on developmental information and the assessment profile. These activities do not guarantee admission.
Six weeks' notice is required to reduce hours or leave. With less notice, payment or nursery grant claims remain due for the notice period.
