Sutton Seedlings at Sutton Primary Academy

Den-building, a natural garden and a limit of 20 children per session give Sutton Seedlings its character: a small preschool with access to the grounds and facilities of Sutton Primary Academy. Children attend from 2½ to rising 5s. Their base is a purpose-built room with its own outdoor play space, while the school library, playing fields and Forest School areas extend the possibilities beyond it.

A manager and nursery assistants run the provision. Staffing ratios are one adult for four children aged 2½ and one for eight three-year-olds. The team includes staff with Level 3 early years qualifications and an NNEB qualification, bringing specialist training to the children's daily care and learning.

Play has a clear daily rhythm. Registration leads into free play, physical activity and focused tasks; the morning then includes a snack and rest, general activities and time to tidy up. Lunch is followed by quiet time. Afternoon children have structured activities alongside free-flow play, with a snack and story before home time.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning to communicate, manage feelings and move confidently, alongside early reading and writing, mathematics, creativity and discovering how the world works. Here, that means listening to rhymes, counting and sorting objects, experimenting with materials and making pictures with paint or collage. A book corner gives children opportunities to explore stories independently. Floppy’s Phonics supports early reading through sound activities. At the April 2023 inspection, nursery children enjoyed exploring letter sounds and were beginning to shape letters themselves.

Outdoor activity happens daily in most weather. Children build, make dens and develop imaginative games, giving their ideas room to grow. Every child can participate in Forest School, where planned sessions also respond to children's choices. Three qualified Forest School leaders work within the school. Small tasks become more challenging as confidence develops, so outdoor learning offers a gradual route towards greater independence.

A key worker is each family's main contact, getting to know the child and using observation to plan their next steps. Tapestry provides photographs and learning updates through a secure individual account. Brief conversations with staff at either end of a session and termly progress reports add opportunities to share what is happening at home and preschool.

Settling can be adapted when separation is difficult, and parents may stay until their child feels settled. Children can start before they are toilet-trained; staff work with families when the child is ready. These arrangements allow care to follow the child's pace.

Lunch can be brought from home or ordered as a charged hot meal from Cater Cater through ParentPay. Staff cannot heat packed food. Morning fruit is supplied, families send an afternoon snack, and water and milk are available throughout the day. Meals include practising cutlery skills and table manners.

For additional needs, families can speak with the preschool manager, with support from the federation SENCo and Early Years SENCo. Wordful Speech Therapy works mainly within the EYFS, observing and assessing speech and language difficulties. Individual support planning includes termly consultation with parents, keeping families involved as provision changes.

Attendance at Seedlings does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Herefordshire Council's normal admissions route by the deadline for their child's entry year. Nursery attendance gives no Reception priority under the 2026/27 arrangements: allocation follows the specified needs, care status, catchment, sibling, exceptional circumstances and distance criteria.

Transition support is a separate matter. Preschool staff exchange information with the Reception teacher in advance, and can accompany children on school visits as a familiar presence. Children beginning school are invited to half-day visits during the latter part of the preceding term, helping them become familiar with classroom routines.

Seedlings opens Monday to Friday during school terms. Families book complete sessions: a morning from 9:00am to noon, a morning including lunch until 1:00pm, or a full day until 3:00pm. Fees are paid ahead of attendance, and booked absences remain chargeable. Contact admin@sutton.hmfa.org.uk for enquiries and accompanied visits before starting.

Three- and four-year-olds can use 15 funded hours weekly across 38 weeks; eligible working families can apply for another 15. Eligible working parents of children aged 2½ can apply for up to 30 hours. Entitlements can be used from the term after the application has been granted, with terms beginning on 1 January, 1 April and 1 September. Funding is claimed in whole-session blocks of three or four hours, with excess attendance charged separately. Ask the school for current charges.

Washable clothing that children can manage themselves suits messy play and toileting. Bring weather-appropriate layers and named belongings. At drop-off, families wait in the courtyard beside the hall until staff come to the gate. The preschool start time is 9:00am. Sutton Kids Club has limited, advance-booked spaces for eligible preschool children over three who can manage alongside older children; any need for individual adult supervision must be discussed before booking and depends on staffing.