West Alvington Church of England Academy Nursery

Play indoors, learning outdoors and a village wood give West Alvington’s early years provision its character. The nursery accepts children from two years old and sits within the academy’s Foundation Stage Unit in West Alvington, near Kingsbridge. It is part of a Church of England school belonging to the Learning Academy Partnership. The school aims to connect education with Christian values and work closely with families.

Play carries the learning. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach brings together early communication, number work and social development, with speaking, listening and concentration among its priorities. For a parent, that means looking beyond a finished picture or an early attempt at counting: learning to explain an idea and spend time on an activity also matters here.

Children have opportunities to choose activities themselves, alongside teaching indoors and outside. Imaginative play, music and art provide different ways to express ideas. Structured play also supports early reading and mathematics, while individual and group activities give children opportunities to build relationships. The emphasis is on learning through doing.

Outdoor learning has a concrete setting: the academy has access to a wood for Forest School experiences. This extends the learning environment beyond the indoor spaces. In June 2025, Ofsted found that early years routines began as children started and that staff encouraged participation in activities. The same inspection identified a school-wide weakness in how consistently adults extended language and knowledge through their interactions. That is a useful point for families to keep in mind alongside the early years emphasis on communication.

Working with parents is part of the school’s approach to inclusion. The academy aims for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to participate fully in education, and values collaboration with families when developing support. A school SEND coordinator provides a contact route for parents, alongside access to Devon’s local SEND offer.

Communication includes emailed school updates. Families who are not receiving correspondence can contact the school administrator, giving parents a practical way to keep that connection working.

At school level, lunch choices include a main meal with vegetables and dessert, or alternatives from the Deli Bar such as pasta, sandwiches and jacket potatoes. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are offered daily; organic choices are used where possible. These lunch choices apply at school level; confirm nursery meal arrangements with the academy.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate formal application through the local authority’s normal admissions process, including children already attending this nursery. Devon County Council’s online admissions service is the route for applications.

Separate application. A nursery place and a Reception application are distinct decisions. Families should apply again through the normal route by the normal deadline, rather than treating nursery enrolment as their school application. The familiar school setting does not replace that formal step.

For nursery enquiries, contact the academy on 01548 312290 or email westalvington@lapsw.org. School visits can be arranged by telephone or email, providing an opportunity to discuss admission in person. The academy’s address is West Alvington, Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 3PP. Refer to the school for current charges before agreeing attendance arrangements.