Little Explorers at Field Court Church of England Infant Academy

Songs, rhymes and stories give Little Explorers its clearest nursery character: language learning begins with the youngest children. This is the nursery at Field Court Church of England Infant Academy in Quedgeley, within the school grounds, catering for children aged two, three and four. Separate teams serve the two-year-old nursery and the older nursery group, giving families an age-specific starting point within the same school setting.

Communication is a central thread. In February 2023, nursery staff developed vocabulary by demonstrating language, adding unfamiliar words and using singing and rhymes. Children joined in familiar stories with accompanying actions. These are concrete ways to practise speaking and remembering, with stories giving children something shared to talk about.

Development Matters guides the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. Here, that early learning includes communication, growing independence and making sense of experiences. The school emphasises foundational knowledge and says teaching progresses from age two onwards rather than being taught through play. Its six curriculum drivers include Curiosity and Independence, alongside Potential, Wonder, Mistakes and Depth: the school aims to develop both knowledge and children's willingness to tackle learning.

Religious education begins in nursery, with weekly teaching using the Understanding Christianity approach alongside the Gloucestershire syllabus dated 2017–2022. Objects, pictures, stories and acting out ideas make the subject concrete for young children. The Christian character therefore has a place in learning, rather than being simply part of the school's name.

During February 2023, early-years experiences included making basic maps following trips and marking Chinese New Year. Such activities connected learning with places and cultural celebrations. Ofsted judged early-years provision Good at the inspection on 14 and 15 February 2023, but also required more consistent curriculum teaching, including in early years, because uneven delivery left some children with less secure knowledge and skills. That qualification matters alongside the positive judgement.

Clear expectations and predictable routines helped early-years children settle promptly in February 2023. For a child beginning nursery, that gives the day an understandable structure. Staff also recognised additional needs promptly and accurately within nursery classes, making early identification a practical part of support rather than something deferred until later schooling.

The staffing structure includes a nursery manager who also leads EYFS, a deputy nursery manager, nursery and pre-school practitioners, and a special educational needs coordinator (SENDCo). A midday supervisor is also part of Little Explorers. This gives families distinct teaching, care and additional-needs roles to recognise when discussing their child's experience.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Treat choosing nursery and applying for school as separate decisions.

The pre-school team includes a Reception transition support role. That provides a specific staffing link for the next stage, but transition support should not be confused with an admissions entitlement.

Little Explorers nursery and pre-school enquiries can be made through a contact form, by emailing kmorris@fcia.dgat.org.uk, or by calling 01452 720257 and choosing option 2. These are direct routes to discuss joining the provision. The nursery sits on Courtfield Road in Quedgeley, Gloucester, GL2 4UF.