Westwood Primary School Nursery

An 8:30 start and an 11:30 finish give Westwood’s nursery a clear morning shape. This is the nursery class within Westwood Primary School on Westwood Avenue in Lowestoft, with its class teacher also holding the early years lead and assistant headteacher roles. Nursery teaching therefore has a direct link to the school’s leadership team.

Children enter from the term following their third birthday. They can remain in the nursery until the September after turning four. For families choosing a first school experience, that makes the nursery a distinct stage before Reception, with its own application and session preferences.

The morning session begins at 8:30, with collection at 11:30. That finish matters for childcare planning: families choosing this session need arrangements for the rest of the day.

In March 2022, Ofsted found that the youngest children shared play successfully and could wait their turn. Those children also discussed a farm outing with the inspector, a concrete example of experiences beyond the classroom giving them something to talk about together.

Visual schedules are used throughout the school’s classrooms. These make the sequence of activities visible, rather than relying only on spoken instructions. Across the school, Zones of Regulation gives children language for recognising feelings; adults model its blue, green, amber and red zones during teaching.

The early years team includes a teaching assistant and a higher level teaching assistant alongside teaching staff. The nursery class teacher also has a designated safeguarding lead role, connecting the nursery team with the school’s safeguarding structure.

For additional needs, families can approach the class teacher or SEND coordinator. The school involves parents in assessing needs and planning support, and shares SEND K plans termly. These plans identify learning targets, teaching strategies and provision, giving families concrete points to discuss at reviews.

Physical access also matters. The school grounds are accessible to wheelchair users, and accessible toilets have room for changing. The school’s food rule excludes nuts, so families sending food need to check ingredients carefully.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee admission to Westwood’s Reception class. Families must make another application through Suffolk County Council’s normal admissions process, using the normal deadline. Online applications are encouraged, with paper forms also obtainable through primary schools or the council.

For the 2026–2027 admissions cycle, nursery attendance gives no oversubscription priority. After children whose EHCP names the school, the criteria consider care status, qualifying siblings and proximity. A familiar nursery setting does not alter that allocation process.

Separately, the school supports changes of class through summer-term sessions with the next teacher and learning space. Its SEND arrangements also include information handovers and liaison between early years staff, the SEND coordinator and dual placement settings where relevant. These are transition practices, not admission advantages.

Applications allow families to express a morning or afternoon preference, or accept either, and request a maximum of five sessions. Preference goes to children seeking five, except where a dual placement with a special school nursery applies. The morning timetable is 8:30 to 11:30.

To apply, obtain the nursery form from the school office and provide a birth certificate and address evidence. Visits to meet the nursery staff can be arranged through the school. Contact the office on 01502 565673 or office@westwoodprimary.org.