Claydon Primary School Nursery Review

Play, conversation and learning outdoors shape the nursery at Claydon Primary School. Communication and language, alongside personal and social development, take priority here: the emphasis is on helping children express themselves and build relationships as they begin school life.

This is a term-time nursery for three and four year olds, with 26 places in each morning and afternoon session. Children join in September after turning three and stay until the following September, when their Reception year begins. At the Ofsted inspection on 18 and 19 October 2022, early years provision was graded Good within the school's inspection. That judgement covers the early years phase, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Children choose some activities themselves; adults lead others. Themes respond to children's interests, and learning happens individually, in small groups and with the class. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together language, physical and social development with early literacy, maths, creativity and understanding the world. For parents, that means play and exploration have a place alongside directed teaching.

Inside and outside classrooms receive equal weight in planning. Reading areas and regular stories make books part of the day, while physical development combines scheduled lessons with activities in the learning environment. Circle time gives children opportunities to work on their personal, social and emotional development.

Maths Mastery supplies a named approach to early number learning. In nursery maths sessions, children investigate quantities and sorting, practise counting and explore shapes. Games and objects they can handle turn these ideas into practical experiences; children can then return to them during their own exploration. Staff observe children's learning and use those observations to plan their next steps.

Preparation starts before the first session. Once a place is allocated, families receive an invitation to an evening introduction to the team and curriculum. Children can visit the nursery with their parents and with Claydon Pre-School, giving them a chance to become familiar with the setting before starting.

Tapestry connects home and nursery through an online learning journey. Parents can see updates and contribute their own observations. Concerns can also go directly to the early years class teacher at earlyyears@claydonprimary.net. Children who stay across lunchtime bring a packed lunch and attend the optional, charged Nursery Lunch Club.

Additional support follows the school's Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle. Wellcomm is among its speech and language assessment and intervention programmes for early years. The class teacher is the first contact for concerns, with the SENDCo involved in planning support. For children on the SEND register, Map to Success records individual targets and support each term. Staff development also includes training specific to early years, so assessment and planning are discussed across the phase.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Suffolk County Council by the nationally set deadline. For September 2027 entry, nursery attendance carries no oversubscription priority. Choosing the nursery therefore leaves the Reception application as a separate family responsibility.

Transition support serves a different purpose. Children can meet their future teacher, visit school and try a school lunch before Reception starts. Where individual needs call for more preparation, arrangements may include extra classroom visits, meetings with the new teacher or SENDCo, and photographs for a transition booklet. These help children prepare for the change; they do not affect place allocation.

Morning sessions run from 8:45 to 11:45; afternoons run from 12:30 to 3:30, Monday to Friday. Nursery Lunch Club connects the sessions for children staying all day. Breakfast Club begins at 7:45am and Afterschool Club finishes at 5:30pm, subject to availability for nursery children. Breakfast Club is booked through the office.

Funding covers 15 weekly hours for all three and four year olds, or 30 for eligible families who provide eligibility evidence and reconfirm each term. Lunch, additional hours and educational visits carry separate charges; contact the school for current charges. Session preferences are considered but cannot always be met. Enquiries go to office@claydonprimary.net or 01473 830439.