Stretton Sugwas CofE Academy Nursery Review

Local farm visits and stories chosen around children's interests give New Bees its character. This nursery and preschool provision serves children aged 2-4 in a modern EYFS building in rural Herefordshire. It forms part of Stretton Sugwas CofE Academy's early years provision alongside Reception.

The school welcomes families across cultures and beliefs. Its Christian vision emphasises belonging, confidence and responsibility towards others, giving families a clear sense of the values surrounding nursery life.

Play shapes the learning. Staff plan activities around individual interests, with a familiar story providing the starting point for each term's topic. That gives children something recognisable to explore while allowing their own enthusiasms to influence activities.

Beyond the building, children take local walks, visit farms and observe the farmer working nearby. These experiences introduce occupations through people and places children can recognise. New Bees uses them to develop movement, communication and personal skills, connecting learning with the surrounding community.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together language, early literacy, mathematics, creativity, physical development and learning about the world, alongside social and emotional development. In parent terms, learning includes expressing ideas, developing movement and understanding relationships as well as beginning literacy and number work. Nursery planning covers ages 2 to 3, with preschool planning for ages 3 to 4. The Early Years Team uses Progress Trackers for planning and assessment, helping adults identify each child's stage of learning.

Parents receive the early years Progress Tracker as a report as well as staff using it for ongoing assessment. This gives home and nursery a shared reference point for discussing progress. New Bees staff can also provide access to private class Facebook groups; school messages about events and procedures arrive through Arbor.

For families experiencing changes at home, school support may involve teachers and the learning mentor. Trained Thrive practitioners also work within the school and offer families guidance. These support routes operate within the school.

Familiarity grows through sharing space and ideas with the wider school. New Bees staff work with teachers and pupils so children get to know the school community before their next stage. That supports the transition, but it does not guarantee a Reception place.

Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Treat nursery attendance and Reception admission as separate decisions.

New Bees has an arrival window of 8:30 to 9:00, with collection between 15:00 and 15:30. These are arrival and collection windows, rather than fixed session lengths.

Club Stretton extends care during the school term and accepts children from age 2. Breakfast Club runs from 7:50 to 8:40, including breakfast and a drink. Afternoon care includes a snack and drink, with collection options at 16:30 or, Monday to Thursday, 17:30. Friday care ends at 16:30, and afternoon care does not operate on the final day of the autumn, spring or summer term. Both clubs use the school hall, supervised by school and preschool staff.

Wraparound bookings use Arbor on a pay as you go basis, up to 24 hours before a session. For later bookings, contact the office. Families paying with childcare vouchers arrange bookings by email and pay monthly. Ask the school for current charges. Nursery enquiries can go to strettonsugwas@orchardmat.org.uk or 01432 760282.