Burton Green Church of England Academy Nursery Review

Maple Class brings pre-school children and Reception children together, giving Burton Green’s nursery provision its distinctive mixed-age shape. Play and exploration sit alongside teaching to the class, smaller groups and individual children. This is early education within a shared classroom, with activities adapted to children’s needs.

An Early Years Coordinator teaches in Maple, and a class teaching assistant supports learning. The nursery belongs to Burton Green Church of England Academy on Hob Lane. Its classroom organisation is the defining practical feature for families considering this school setting.

Play has a deliberate place in the day. Children choose some activities themselves; adults plan others and lead focused work. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach combines these opportunities with whole-class activities, so children experience both their own exploration and guided learning. Daily literacy and numeracy teaching adds a regular thread of work with language and numbers.

Topics give that learning a recognisable starting point. Gardening, Transport and Dinosaurs feature in Maple’s curriculum, alongside Colour and Light and All About Me. These themes provide contexts for developing language and exploring ideas, rather than making the day solely a sequence of separate lessons. Smaller groups and individual support allow teaching to respond to different learning needs within the mixed-age class.

Activities take place outdoors as well as in the classroom. Wellie Wednesday is a named part of early-years life; children taking part have made two scarecrows for the school allotment. That is a concrete example of making something for the outdoor environment. The school also has a level site with wheelchair access throughout, accessible toilets and shower facilities.

Settling involves parents from the beginning. Early-years staff work with families during the first weeks, aiming to help children feel secure and become more independent. Activities taken home and curriculum evenings give parents ways to participate in learning beyond the classroom.

For children needing additional help, the academy identifies barriers to learning and uses targeted interventions. Its SEND approach includes parents in decisions and brings in outside agencies where appropriate. This gives families a role in shaping support, rather than simply receiving updates about it.

Meals at the school are prepared on site by Caterlink, and children can bring a packed lunch instead. Midday supervisors oversee children in the dining hall and during outdoor play at lunchtime. These are school arrangements, distinct from the teaching team's classroom role.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Applications for Burton Green school places go through Warwickshire School Admissions Service.

Sharing Maple Class with Reception is a classroom arrangement, not an admissions entitlement. Separately, the school runs a summer introduction programme for September entrants and holds a meeting for parents. The SENCo meets new families whose children have known SEND before entry, creating an opportunity to discuss concerns ahead of the school start.

The academy office handles enquiries at BGP.Office@GreenLeek.covmat.org or (02476) 464130. Families can arrange a school visit through the office, providing an opportunity to see the setting before choosing it.

Collection changes need clear communication: inform the office when someone other than a parent or an agreed contact will collect a child. This gives staff notice of the change and helps families organise handovers.