Comberton Primary School Nursery Review

Stories, conversation and imaginative play give Comberton’s nursery its clearest character. Vocabulary and communication receive close attention from Nursery onwards, making learning to express ideas a central part of the experience. Children can join once they turn three.

This is Comberton Primary School’s own nursery class, on Borrington Road in Kidderminster, with classrooms in the Early Years Unit. Ofsted judged early years provision Good at the inspection on 14 and 15 January 2025. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning through activities with adult teaching. At Comberton, seasons, celebrations and children’s interests help shape early years themes, with books providing a starting point. A new text introduces each week’s literacy work. Group teaching connects that story with a particular skill, followed by activities adjusted to children’s needs and what adults have seen them understand. This gives stories a purpose beyond listening time.

Read Write Inc provides the basis for early years phonics, with daily sessions lasting 30 minutes. Funky Fingers develops the small hand movements needed for writing, alongside work on pencil grip. These are distinct parts of early literacy: recognising sounds and gaining control of a pencil.

In January 2025, children in early years listened to stories and acted them out during play. They stayed absorbed in activities, while adults used questions to extend their thinking. Conversation therefore supports both participation and learning. Letter formation. Too few early years children were forming letters correctly in January 2025. More precise teaching and additional practice were needed, making handwriting a useful topic for parents to discuss during induction.

Before nursery begins, families receive a telephone invitation to an induction meeting. That creates an opportunity to discuss the start with staff before the child’s first session. The nursery team includes a teacher and teaching assistants; messages to staff can be passed through the school office.

During January 2025, early years children were content, received attentive care and related positively to adults and other children. These relationships help children take part in learning and sustain their attention.

For questions about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), parents can approach their child’s teacher or the school’s SENDCO. School support can include individual or small-group work involving teachers, teaching assistants and speech and language therapists, according to the child’s needs. This provides a route for discussing specific support rather than treating inclusion as a general promise.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must make a separate application online through Worcestershire County Council, which manages Reception admissions. The school handles nursery applications directly, so the two processes need separate attention.

Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as separate decisions. Apply through the normal council route by the deadline for your child’s intake, even if they already attend Comberton’s nursery.

Funding begins in the term after a child’s third birthday. The entitlement is 15 hours of free childcare, with some parents eligible for 30 hours. Children may start after turning three but before funding begins; in that case, the place must be self-funded. Contact the school for current charges.

Wraparound care extends the practical options: Breakfast Club is available from 7:45am and After School Club runs until 5:30pm. After School Club includes a drink and snack, such as crackers with cheese or fruit, rather than an evening meal. ParentPay supports online care-club bookings. Payment for After School Club is required by Thursday of the preceding week; same-day bookings may be available. Breakfast Club can be attended without booking, with payment on the day. Eligible families may be able to use their 30 funded hours at a care club, subject to discussion with the school.

For a nursery visit, call 01562 754704 to arrange a personalised tour. Nursery applications go directly to the school, which keeps the completed application form on file.