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Nursery at Shepherdswell Academy
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
In November 2023, sharing, taking turns and helping to tidy up gave Shepherdswell’s nursery its clearest character: children practised being part of a group alongside their early learning. These small responsibilities matter. They give young children practical ways to contribute, rather than leaving cooperation as an abstract idea.
The nursery belongs to Shepherdswell Academy in Springfield, Milton Keynes. In November 2023, it catered for three- and four-year-olds, and Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good. That judgement covers early years within the academy; it is not a separate nursery rating.
In November 2023, curriculum planning began in the early years and divided knowledge and skills into manageable stages. For parents, the useful feature was the sequence: children could build their understanding through smaller steps rather than being expected to master everything at once. This planning supported learning, including for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Reading has an explicit place in early years learning. In November 2023, children were making a positive beginning with reading and had daily phonics teaching, with chances to revisit their learning. Children regularly practised learning from those daily sessions.
Group routines also carry learning. Nursery children helped put things away, shared and waited for their turn in November 2023. These are concrete examples of learning to participate alongside other children, with everyday responsibilities forming part of the experience.
For families discussing additional needs, the school’s SENCO can be contacted at SEND@shepherdswell.emat.uk or on 01908 735865. This gives parents a direct route to discuss support with the role responsible for coordinating special educational needs provision.
Shepherdswell aims to include children across school life and remove obstacles to participation and learning. Its approach includes involving families in decisions and seeking help from outside agencies. For a parent, that makes discussion of a child’s individual needs central to planning support, rather than treating inclusion simply as an aspiration about belonging.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority; Milton Keynes residents apply through Milton Keynes Council. Choosing the nursery and applying for school are separate decisions.
For the 2026/27 admissions cycle, nursery attendance conferred no Reception priority. Allocation instead used criteria concerning care status, siblings, qualifying staff children and residence, with distance used where a criterion had more applicants than places. The primary application closing date for that cycle was 15 January. Parents should keep the Reception application separate from any nursery arrangements.
The academy’s address is Billingwell Place, Springfield, Milton Keynes, MK6 3NP. General enquiries can be made by calling 01908 735865 or emailing office@shepherdswell.emat.uk. Use that contact route for nursery enquiries, keeping the local authority application route for Reception distinct.
In November 2023, the nursery catered for three- and four-year-old children.
Ofsted judged the academy’s early years provision Good following the inspection on 28 and 29 November 2023. This was a school inspection, not a separate nursery inspection.
In November 2023, nursery children shared, took turns and helped tidy up. Early years children also had daily phonics teaching and opportunities to practise their learning.
No. A separate application is required through the family’s home local authority. Nursery attendance was not a priority criterion for the 2026/27 admissions cycle.
Contact the SENCO at SEND@shepherdswell.emat.uk or call 01908 735865.
