Overfields Primary School Nursery Review

Sand, water, paint and outdoor exploration give Overfields’ nursery its character: children learn by getting involved. This is the school’s own provision for three- and four-year-olds on Daisy Lane in Ormesby. There are 52 nursery places, divided between morning and afternoon groups with a maximum of 26 children each. That distinction matters: the total capacity is shared across two sessions.

At the inspection on 7 and 8 February 2023, Ofsted graded early years provision Good. This judgement covers the school’s early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Play does the teaching here. Children explore, investigate and talk through what they discover, while developing early maths, literacy and social skills. Learning also includes becoming familiar with routines and behaviour. For parents, the useful distinction is that playing is part of the learning itself, rather than simply a break between lessons.

Indoors, paint, sand and water provide materials to explore and create with. Outdoor learning uses natural materials and activities involving larger movements. Messy clothes are an expected consequence of this practical approach. Children have opportunities to try things themselves, watch others and communicate their ideas.

The nursery curriculum spans two years, with separate long-term plans for children aged three and four. This gives the learning a planned sequence as children develop, alongside the practical activities that shape their sessions.

A nursery teacher and teaching assistant form the nursery team. Preparation begins with planned visits during the term before a child starts, plus a meeting where parents can discuss concerns and learn what to expect. Familiarity starts before the first session. In February 2023, children in early years became accustomed to school routines quickly and responded positively to the behaviour arrangements.

Toilet training need not be complete before starting: staff work with parents to help children develop this skill. Families can raise developmental concerns during nursery visits or speak with the teacher or SEND lead. Where additional support is needed, parents help shape a SEND Support Plan, with targets reviewed each term. More complex needs can lead to a SEND Support Plan Plus. The school is wheelchair accessible and has accessible toilets, practical features for families considering physical access.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must make a separate application through the local authority and meet the normal deadline for their child’s admission round. Choosing the nursery therefore needs its own decision, alongside the later application for school.

Transition arrangements address preparation separately from allocation. Across the school, children can visit their next classroom near the end of the summer term. Support plans and Education, Health and Care Plans are discussed, with targets agreed before the new academic year begins. For children needing additional help, this creates an opportunity to plan continuity of support.

The funded pattern is three hours each day across five days, with a morning or afternoon place offered according to the child’s age. The entitlement covers 15 hours for 38 weeks each year for three- and four-year-olds until compulsory school age. Afternoon sessions run from 12.15pm to 3.15pm. This pattern means families should plan around a daily session rather than a full nursery day.

Contact the school office on 01642 314548 to enquire or arrange a nursery visit. If a child is ill, families should contact the office with the reason and likely duration of absence. When a child is absent and the school has received no message, the office calls the family’s contact numbers.