St Paul's Nursery, Leamington Spa

A Home Corner, loose parts and a Book Corner give St Paul's nursery a character built around play, stories and discovery. This maintained provision sits within the school's shared Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) unit on Upper Holly Walk, Leamington Spa. There are 30 nursery places, split between 15 morning and 15 afternoon places.

Children normally join in September following their third birthday. An intake in January or the summer term is occasionally possible, subject to spaces. Nursery children work with both early years class teachers, teaching assistants and a Senior Early Years Educator, so their experience extends beyond one adult or group.

Children's own choices sit alongside focused activities directed by adults. In parent language, the EYFS here means learning through exploration and play as well as teaching: investigating materials, talking together, developing number understanding and practising independence. The nursery aims to help children cooperate, communicate confidently and persevere when something is difficult.

The environment includes Discovery, Creative, Imagination and Outside areas. Within the Imagination Area, small-world play and music sit alongside a Message Centre and a Nursery Group Area. These give children different ways to take part, whether they want to act out an idea, explore a story or join a group activity. Early years art includes experimenting with colour, textures and tools; mathematics develops understanding of number, measurement, shape and space.

Early reading begins with Foundations for Phonics, part of Little Wandle, Letters and Sounds revised. The emphasis on language, rhymes and enjoyment of books gives families a practical connection between nursery learning and sharing stories at home. Nursery children also have a home reading book.

In October 2022, Ofsted found that early years children followed instructions and enjoyed a calm, organised learning environment. Nursery teaching developed enthusiasm for rhymes and stories, with children practising attention to surrounding sounds. That is a concrete picture of preparation for reading through listening and language.

Christian life is part of the experience. St Paul's Church staff lead EYFS collective worship on Thursday afternoons, making faith a feature families should consider alongside the play and learning arrangements.

A key person is allocated before each child starts. That gives families an identified adult from the outset, while the shared staffing model means children also build familiarity with the wider early years team. School updates reach parents by email each week.

All-day attendance requires a packed lunch, an important part of planning the longer session. The school invites families with SEND concerns to contact its Special Educational Needs Coordinator. Transition support for families includes social stories, visual prompts and resources about autism, offering ways to talk through change with a child who benefits from preparation.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate school-place application through Warwickshire admissions and meet the normal Reception application deadline. Treat this as a distinct decision from booking nursery sessions.

The shared EYFS unit gives nursery children familiarity with adults who work across Nursery and Reception. This continuity is useful preparation, but it should be kept separate from the application process. Starting-school support also includes a transition social story and advice for parents about helping children manage change.

Morning sessions run from 08:45 to 11:45; afternoons run from 12:00 to 15:00. All-day attendance runs from 08:45 to 15:00. Places follow the school's term-time calendar, so families need separate plans for school holidays.

Places are offered to families eligible for the government's 30-hour funded childcare scheme, alongside paid sessions booked in advance. Nursery application forms can be obtained from the school office and returned there or by email.

Personal tours of the EYFS unit and school can be arranged through the office on 01926 425361 or at admin3371@welearn365.com. A tour offers a useful opportunity to see the named learning areas before choosing a session pattern.