Chadsmead Primary Academy Nursery

A weekly Forest session and outdoor learning through the seasons give Chadsmead’s nursery a clear emphasis on exploration. Saplings Class is the school’s nursery for three- and four-year-olds, with 26 places, at Friday Acre in Lichfield. It sits within the academy’s early years provision.

Ofsted judged early years provision Good at the inspection on 1 and 2 October 2024. That judgement covers the school’s early years, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Play gives the day its shape. Children choose activities as well as joining experiences directed by adults, with staff observing their interests and development to decide what comes next. The nursery aims to combine curiosity and creativity with learning knowledge and skills. For parents, this means children’s choices contribute to planning alongside activities organised by staff.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together seven connected areas of development. For the youngest children, the emphasis falls on learning to communicate, developing movement and managing feelings and relationships. Literacy and mathematics sit alongside creative expression and discovering how the world works. Activities are planned around children’s development, with opportunities to build vocabulary and try out ideas.

Learning moves between indoor spaces and outdoor areas, which are used throughout the year in most weather. Children examine seasonal changes, and can take part in a Forest session each week. This gives exploration a recurring place in the week. Within each classroom, a visual timetable shows children what is happening that day, helping them understand the sequence even when plans change.

Themes include How am I special, Who helps us and Which rhyme shall we choose? Families receive knowledge organisers with vocabulary, texts to share and activities for home. QR codes and useful websites are included too, giving parents further ways to support the current learning theme at home. These give parents concrete ways to join in with the learning rather than simply hearing the theme’s title.

Each early years child has a key person who helps adapt learning and care to their needs and supports development at home. Parents can contribute observations through Wow Moments, while paper learning journals record assessments. That creates a route for sharing what children can do beyond the classroom as well as during nursery activities.

In October 2024, children in early years adjusted rapidly to school routines and formed friendships. These findings offer reassurance about settling into group life. The staffing structure includes an Early Years Lead, a Nursery Manager and a Nursery Nurse.

For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, early years staff consider specialist input and links with other services where appropriate. The school’s support arrangements include Individual Learning Plans shared with families; medical needs are addressed through care plans and pupil profiles. Plans are reviewed regularly, giving families an ongoing role in discussing support.

A nursery place does not guarantee admission to Chadsmead’s Reception. Families must make a separate online application through Staffordshire County Council, which manages Reception admissions. Treat that application as a separate step even if your child already attends Saplings.

The school aims to connect nursery learning and routines with Reception so children can build on familiar experiences. This continuity concerns learning and adjustment; it does not secure an admission place.

The 15-hour childcare entitlement can be arranged flexibly according to family needs and availability. Eligible families can access 30 funded hours, scheduled from 8.45am to 3.15pm Monday to Thursday and 8.45am to 12.45pm on Friday. The shorter Friday needs its own collection plan.

Children using the 15-hour entitlement can pay for additional sessions extending to 3.15pm, excluding Fridays. Contact the school for current charges. Nursery applications are handled by the school office, which supplies the application form. Call 01543 421850 or email office@chadsmead.staffs.sch.uk. Visits can also be arranged by contacting the school.