Langwith Bassett Primary Academy Nursery

Conversation, stories and play give Baby Owls its character. This is the nursery provision within Langwith Bassett Primary Academy, with FS0 entry from the term following a child's second birthday and FS1 entry from the term following their third. Younger children have a bespoke setting designed around their developmental needs; FS1 shares the Foundations Unit with Reception. The physical connection makes the next stage familiar, while admission remains a separate matter.

Children's interests help shape the activities, alongside experiences introduced by adults. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning about language, relationships and movement with early literacy, maths, creativity and understanding the world. There are goals for each term, but staff judge learning through what children can manage independently and consistently in everyday activities. Play has a clear purpose.

Daily conversations and shared stories give children opportunities to build vocabulary, ask questions and practise expressing themselves. Nursery children begin Phase 1 activities through the ACET Phonics and Early Reading Programme. Daily Dough Disco sessions work on finger strength for pencil control, linking physical development to the beginnings of writing.

Practical discovery reaches beyond letters and numbers. Children investigate living things, seasons, forces and materials using their senses, then discuss changes and patterns. Talking about their own past and how they have grown introduces early historical thinking. Music provision includes spaces for exploring instruments and singing nursery rhymes.

Outside, balance bikes and playground road markings and signs turn road safety into something children can practise through play. These are concrete tools for learning about movement and safety together. In October 2022, Ofsted found that nursery children made a good start, including learning letter sounds and recognising quantities without counting each object. Those examples show how early language and number learning take shape here.

Staff observations and interactions guide their understanding of each child, with contributions from parents also included. Development is discussed at reviews in the autumn and spring, followed by an end-of-year report. This gives families regular opportunities to share concerns and compare what their child does at home and in nursery.

The academy's induction approach includes getting to know children's interests, backgrounds and preferences. Within Foundations, learning about feelings and relationships includes starting conversations, expressing opinions and resolving disagreements. Social learning belongs within the day, alongside academic beginnings.

For children with SEND, the academy uses observations and assessments, discusses concerns with families and seeks specialist advice where appropriate. Its school-wide provision includes adjustments such as visual aids, practical resources and quiet areas where needed. All staff receive basic first-aid training, with two staff members additionally trained in paediatric first aid.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through the normal admissions process: the local authority administers the Common Application Form and communicates the decision. Treat that application as a separate task from arranging nursery attendance.

Preparation for the change also has a practical side. FS1 children already share their unit with Reception, and nursery activities towards the end of the year support confidence and independence. Familiar surroundings can help children approach the next stage, but they do not secure admission.

FS0 offers mornings only, Monday to Friday. FS1 has three weekday patterns: full days from 8.30am to 3.15pm, mornings from 8.30am to 11.45am, or afternoons from 12.15pm to 3.15pm.

From the term after their third birthday, children receive 15 funded hours weekly over 38 weeks; some qualify for 30 funded hours. Some two-year-olds qualify for 15 funded hours from the term after their second birthday. Additional hours are chargeable and subject to space, requested in sessions of 3 or 6 hours. Contact the academy office for current charges.

Breakfast care. Nursery children cannot access places through the Government's Free Breakfast Club Programme. Families needing an earlier start should factor that exclusion into their childcare planning.

Enquiries go to the academy office on 01623 742236 or info@langwithbassettacademy.org. Visits can be arranged by telephone.