Kirkby CofE Primary School Nursery Review

Weekly Forest School in an on-site woodland gives Ash, Kirkby CofE Primary School’s nursery class, a clear outdoor thread. Indoor exploration sits alongside it, while the nursery’s Communication Friendly Setting accreditation adds a second defining feature: attention to children’s talk and language.

Ash belongs to the school’s early years provision. At the Ofsted inspection on 28 and 29 March 2023, early years provision was judged Outstanding. That judgement covers the early years together, rather than giving the nursery a separate rating.

Play is the starting point. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum combines learning to communicate, manage feelings and develop physical skills with early literacy, maths, creative work and discovery about the world. Development Matters guides planning and assessment. Children are encouraged to investigate, persevere when something proves difficult and work out their own solutions, giving exploration a purpose beyond simply keeping busy.

Language receives sustained attention. In March 2023, nursery learning emphasised communication and preparation for later phonics. Staff interactions across early years helped children expand their vocabulary and become confident learners. Read Write Inc begins in Nursery, while White Rose Maths supplies the nursery’s maths approach. These named programmes sit within the broader EYFS curriculum.

The woodland provides a weekly setting for Forest School, alongside learning inside and outside the classroom. Creative learning includes nursery mark-making and connecting simple materials. Questful RE introduces Christianity and other religions from Nursery, placing that exploration within the school’s Church of England character.

Healthy snacks are provided each day. Parents also have a role in understanding their child’s progress: staff use observations, photographs and videos, and invite families to share interests and learning from home. This allows experiences beyond the classroom to contribute to assessment and planning.

The SEND team includes an EYFS SENDCo as well as the school SENDCo. Early identification is part of the school’s support policy; adaptations are discussed with parents and, where appropriate, external professionals. For children with identified SEND, Assess, Plan, Do, Review and Individual Education Plans organise support and its review. Speech and Language Therapy Services and EYFS Inclusion Support are among the services the school works with.

For pastoral concerns, the class teacher is the first contact. Additional support can follow with parental permission, giving families a clear starting point when emotional or social difficulties affect their child.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the local authority where they live. For the September 2026 intake, the application window ran from 12 September 2025 to 15 January 2026; those dates belong to that past admissions cycle.

Transition support is a separate matter. The child’s key person prepares a document for the receiving Reception teacher, with parents encouraged to contribute. It records learning and development so that the next teacher can plan individual next steps. That handover supports continuity of care and learning; it does not secure admission.

Two attendance patterns are listed for Ash: children on the 15-hour pattern attend from 8:50am to 11:50am, while the 30-hour pattern runs from 8:50am to 2:50pm. The different finish times make the distinction between a morning and a longer nursery day straightforward.

Nursery applications are handled directly by the school. Contact the office on 0151 4778510 to enquire. Ash children wear EYFS uniform: joggers, a white polo shirt, a school jumper and black shoes with Velcro fastenings.