Chopwell Primary School Nursery Review

Free-flow outdoor play and a separate start for two-year-olds give Chopwell’s nursery its shape. Children join the school’s early years provision from age 2, with dedicated provision for that age group. They move to the main nursery in the term following their third birthday. That creates a staged start rather than putting the youngest children straight into the main group.

Ofsted graded early years provision Good at the inspection on 6 and 7 April 2022. This judgement covers the school’s early years provision, including the nursery.

Children have choices to make here. The Plan-Do-Review Cycle supports them to choose an activity, carry it out and think back over their learning. Topics respond to their interests and development, while Kagan Collaborative Structures organise opportunities to communicate and work together. The practical implication is a day with both personal choices and shared activity.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) covers seven learning areas. In parent language, these bring together communication, relationships and movement with early maths, literacy, creative work and discovering how the world works. Speaking and listening receive explicit attention. Staff observe children’s learning and use those observations to decide their next steps.

Outdoor access comes directly from the nursery classroom. Early years children use climbing equipment, wheeled toys and large tyres to practise movement, balance and coordination, alongside soft play. Regular Forest School visits give them opportunities to build, explore and create. Physical learning has several settings rather than a single exercise slot.

In April 2022, nursery children used repeated rhymes and songs to build speech and vocabulary. Adults modelled sounds accurately during play, and activities developed the strength and control needed for early writing. Counting also belongs to ordinary routines, including preparing fruit and milk at snack time, so numbers have an immediate purpose.

A key person approach structures relationships with children. Family photographs feature around the room and in the small world area, bringing familiar people into the nursery setting. Parents can contribute home experiences through evidence me, and a Learning Journey floor book connects home learning and special events with nursery activity.

Speech support includes talk boost and speech sound interventions for children who need them. The school works with external services including the Early Years Assessment and Intervention Team, which supports children aged 0-4 facing significant developmental or learning barriers. This gives families a route to specialist assessment and intervention alongside nursery support.

A separate application. Attending Chopwell’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply again through the normal Reception admissions process and meet its normal deadline. Treat choosing a nursery place and applying for Reception as separate decisions.

Morning nursery runs from 8:45 to 11:45; the afternoon session is 12:20 to 15:20. Full-time places using 30 hours provision are also accepted. These options give families distinct session patterns to fit around other commitments.

Funded places are offered for two- and three-year-olds, with proof of eligibility required for two-year-olds; a number of 30-hour places are available. Intakes take place in January, April and September. Nursery applications go to school@chopwellprimary.co.uk or can be handed to the school office.