Shaw-cum-Donnington C.E. Primary School Nursery Review

Books, stories and children’s own interests shape nursery learning in Squirrel Class, where nursery and Reception children share a class. This is school-based provision for three-year-olds at Shaw-cum-Donnington C.E. Primary School on Love Lane in Donnington, Newbury. It gives children experience of a school classroom from the nursery stage.

In July 2025, eight nursery-age children attended part-time; that is a snapshot of attendance, rather than a capacity figure. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Outstanding at its inspection on 1 and 2 July 2025. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Children’s interests help determine what they explore, with books and storytelling supporting that learning. Squirrel Class combines this approach with focused daily teaching in maths, writing, phonics and reading. Its weekly programme also includes RE, physical education, music and PSHE. For nursery families, this means joining a shared early years programme that combines children’s choices with adult-led learning.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together physical development, communication, relationships and emotional development alongside early literacy and mathematics. Creative expression and understanding the world also belong to that curriculum. The emphasis is on learning through experiences and activity, giving young children ways to develop skills beyond formal subject lessons.

Indoor and outdoor activities both supported children’s learning in July 2025. Staff assessed what children could already do and used that understanding to plan their next steps. Vocabulary received close attention from the beginning of early years, with discussion helping children practise new words. Sharing was taught through adult example, so learning to get along with friends formed part of the day too.

Support for separation includes an explicit consent rule. In the EYFS, staff must seek a parent or carer’s permission before physically helping a child separate from them. This gives families a clear role in agreeing how that support happens.

For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the class teacher plans daily learning with oversight from the SENCo. Foundation Stage support is documented in a Support and Achievement Play Plan (SAPP), with termly review meetings involving parents. Targets can therefore be discussed and adjusted together, rather than leaving families outside the planning process.

Personal care, including help with eating or toileting, is arranged around the individual child through discussion with parents and staff. Preparations for joining can include additional meetings and visits tailored to a child’s needs. All classrooms are on the ground floor, and the main building has double doors and a ramp at a step. The listed building and limited space can create access challenges, making individual planning relevant for families with mobility needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. For September 2027 entry, the school’s admissions page directs families to West Berkshire Council and gives a deadline before 15 January 2027. Applications can be made online or by post.

Sharing Squirrel Class offers familiarity with the classroom, but that is separate from allocation of a school place. For children with SEND, information about their needs and support is shared with the next teacher before a class change, helping preserve continuity of care and learning.

The nursery session starts at 11:30am and finishes at 3:20pm, with an earlier 2:45pm finish on Fridays. Provision runs five days a week. The Friday difference matters when arranging collection.

Government funding is available subject to qualification; families who do not qualify can use paid provision. Contact the school for current charges. Nursery enquiries go through the office on 01635 40971 or office@shaw.w-berks.sch.uk. School visits are arranged by appointment, giving parents a direct route to look around before applying.