St Mary's Hadleigh Nursery Review

Shared play with older children gives Saplings its distinctive shape. The nursery belongs to St Mary's Church of England Primary School in Hadleigh, with its own phonics and maths teaching alongside opportunities to learn with Reception children. That combination brings younger children into school life while keeping part of their learning separate.

The school places play and exploration at the centre of its early years approach. Children's interests help shape the activities, giving them a part in deciding what they explore.

Daily maths and phonics sessions give the nursery day a structured element. Little Wandle Foundations for Phonics uses games involving sounds, rhyme and listening to prepare children for later phonics learning. Weekly P.E. brings nursery and Reception children together, adding a shared physical activity to the pattern.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach combines these taught sessions with learning through children's chosen play. Staff join that play, introduce vocabulary and help children take their ideas further. Classrooms contain distinct learning areas, and children can explore resources inside and outside. The arrangement gives them opportunities to follow an interest rather than spend the whole session on the same adult-directed task.

Books extend beyond a single reading activity: they are distributed throughout the learning areas, adults read aloud daily, and stories contribute to topic work. Parents are welcome to share books with the children too. Themes include minibeasts, Superheroes and the seasons, with planning adapted to children's interests and needs.

In May 2025, Ofsted found that nursery teaching established firm foundations in language and reading. Children were helped to expand their vocabulary and communicate what they needed, making language development a practical part of learning as well as preparation for reading.

Nursery children receive fruit free through the national fruit scheme. This provides a snack as part of the day.

Support also connects families with the wider school team. Pastoral Support Workers help children individually and in small groups with emotions, friendships and self-esteem. Parents can speak with pastoral staff around the school day or make contact by email or telephone, providing a direct route for concerns about their child.

Responsibility for special educational needs and disabilities is shared between two school SEND coordinators. Safeguarding contacts can be reached through the school office. These are school-level arrangements, offering families points of contact alongside the nursery team.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Nursery admission and Reception admission are separate processes: families must apply again through the normal Reception application route and meet its deadline.

Shared learning is a transition practice, rather than an admissions advantage. During play led by children's interests, nursery children learn alongside Reception children, who demonstrate ways to play and learn. This gives younger children experience of learning with older peers before the next stage.

The school office handles enquiries by telephone on 01473 823268 or email at admin@stmaryshad.co.uk. The school is on Stonehouse Road in Hadleigh.

Changes to collection arrangements need to be communicated to staff, including a different person collecting or a delay. A phone call, written note or conversation can be used. Where a change needs clarification, staff may contact the parent before releasing the child, so collection depends on confirmed arrangements.