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Nursery at Willaston Primary 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Wax-resist waves give Little Acorns a creative starting point. In July 2023, sound and letter activities and family storytelling also featured, bringing preparation for reading into the picture. This is Willaston Primary Academy's nursery for children aged 3–4, within the primary school in Willaston, Nantwich. Children can join from age 3.
Its connection with the wider school extends beyond the classroom. In July 2023, older children acted as buddies for children in early years, helping them find playmates at breaktime. For a young child, that means contact with older pupils has a practical purpose: someone to play with.
Play and adult-directed activities both contribute to early writing. Paper, clipboards and post-it notes give children different ways to make marks, while the early-years role-play area brings writing into pretend situations through invitations, orders and menus. These are concrete examples of early years foundation stage (EYFS) learning: children use materials and play to practise developing skills.
Within the nursery, staff organise activities for fine motor development and teach children to write their names. Sound and letter recognition also featured in July 2023, preparing nursery children for phonics. The emphasis is on the foundations of reading and writing, with activities that give children something specific to practise.
Creative work has identifiable projects. The Nursery Wave Art Project explores wax resist, and a Dotty art project gives another example of nursery artwork. Together with mark-making materials, these show children working with different ways of producing an image or a mark.
Family participation adds another dimension. In July 2023, early-years children enjoyed mystery-reader sessions, with relatives coming into class to share stories. Reading therefore includes familiar people as well as classroom adults.
Support for additional needs begins with identifying concerns. Little Acorns works with Cheshire East's Early Years team to support nursery children and their parents. At school level, the support pathway starts with classroom strategies, records concerns and monitors the response before moving to targeted help where needed. Parents have a role in that process.
The school can involve speech and language services, the Cheshire East Autism Team and an educational psychologist when required. Families can request a meeting with the SENCO through the office. In July 2023, early-years staff helped children with SEND access the curriculum alongside their classmates.
Checking learning. In July 2023, some subjects across the school needed more precise checks on what children remembered, because gaps could go unnoticed. This was a school-wide concern rather than a nursery-specific finding; it makes discussion of how staff follow a child's learning useful.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority by the normal primary deadline of 15 January. Reception admissions at Willaston are administered by Cheshire East.
Support with the change of class is a separate matter. For nursery children with additional needs, collaboration with Cheshire East's Early Years team includes the transition to Reception. That support should be understood separately from the allocation of a school place.
Regular tours include families considering Little Acorns. Individual tours can also be arranged for families moving into the locality, giving parents a chance to explore the nursery before choosing it.
Contact the school directly on 01270 661528 for a nursery enquiry. The address is Derwent Close, Willaston, Nantwich, CW5 6QQ.
Little Acorns is the school's nursery for children aged 3–4, welcoming children from age 3.
Nursery activities include developing fine motor skills and learning to write their names. In July 2023, activities also helped children recognise sounds and letters. Early-years children make marks through play and directed activities.
In July 2023, early-years children enjoyed mystery-reader sessions in which relatives came into class to read.
Request a SENCO meeting through the school office. Little Acorns also works with Cheshire East's Early Years team to support nursery children and their parents.
No. A separate application is required through your home local authority by 15 January in the normal primary admissions round. Willaston's Reception admissions are administered by Cheshire East.
