Bishop Monkton Church of England Primary School Nursery Review

Wrens has a permanent nursery building of its own, alongside the practical option of half days or a six-hour nursery day. This is Bishop Monkton Church of England Primary School’s governor-led provision for children aged two, three and four. It opened in 2016; by 2024, its new building was complete. The nursery therefore has a distinct physical base within the school’s provision.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 13 and 14 July 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separate nursery inspection.

Play and focused activities sit together in the early years curriculum. Children build early understanding of maths, writing and reading while learning both to work with others and to do things for themselves. In parent terms, the Early Years Foundation Stage here combines learning through play with adult guidance: independence is part of the learning, rather than simply something children need before starting.

The July 2023 early years findings give this approach concrete shape. Children learned to choose and access activities independently, shared equipment and chatted together. Adults demonstrated new vocabulary and encouraged conversation, while children developed the confidence to devise activities themselves. Nursery children also practised attentive listening and recognising sounds within words, giving early reading preparation a clear starting point.

In July 2023, outdoor learning included practical activities in the woodland classroom. In July 2023, early years children investigated nature and learned the proper use of hammers and saws. These are hands-on experiences with materials and tools, alongside opportunities to describe what they notice. Beyond the school grounds, Wrens visited Studfold during the 2023–2024 academic year, adding a named outing to the nursery’s experiences.

Settling begins with nursery transition visits arranged beforehand. This gives children a chance to become familiar with the setting before their regular sessions begin. Hot lunches are available, so families choosing a full day can include a cooked meal.

For children with additional needs, the school’s support process involves parents, the class teacher and the special educational needs coordinator. An At a Glance profile helps staff review initial concerns; an Individual Support Plan may follow where a specific need is identified. Speech and language therapy can be involved when needed. Parents contribute to plans and can discuss concerns with the coordinator, making their knowledge of their child part of the support process.

School staff receive child protection training, and the school maintains staff trained in paediatric first aid. Families should share allergies, dietary difficulties and problems with sleep so that staff know about relevant care needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through the normal school admissions process; applications go through the local authority’s area office. Treat that application as a separate step from booking nursery sessions.

Preparation for the move has its own place. Children joining Reception are offered summer-term visits before their September start. These visits support familiarity with school; they do not secure admission.

Morning sessions run from 9am to noon, afternoons from noon to 3pm, and full days from 9am to 3pm. An extra session runs from 3pm to 3.30pm. Eligible children can take up to 15 or 30 funded hours each week during term time, using five or ten sessions in combinations of full and part days, subject to space.

Additional provision must be booked ahead and paid for. Quackers provides before and after school care, also requiring advance booking and payment. This gives families an option beyond nursery hours while keeping bookings within the school’s provision. Contact the nursery to arrange a visit or discuss a place, and ask the school for current charges.