Bursley Academy Nursery Review

Language gives Bursley Academy’s early years its character: in February 2024, children enjoyed discovering new things, with staff shaping activities around what they already understood. That makes the starting point the child’s existing knowledge.

This governor-run nursery belongs to the academy in Bradwell and admits children from the term after their third birthday. For 2026-27, it has 30 places across September, January and April entry points. Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at its inspection on 20 and 21 February 2024. This is an early years judgement within the school inspection.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework for learning and care for children aged up to five. Its learning areas bring together language, movement and relationships with early reading and writing, maths, creativity and discovering how the world works. For parents, the emphasis is broader than preparation for formal lessons: children’s development and welfare belong together.

The February 2024 early years findings describe learning rooted in each child’s existing understanding, supported by staff who knew the children well. New ideas connected with earlier experiences. Language was a clear strength of the learning environment.

The academy has redeveloped its EYFS area. A shared nursery and Reception Easter Bonnet Parade was scheduled for spring 2026.

Relationships with families were a strength of early years provision in February 2024, with contact maintained across the year. Together with staff’s knowledge of the children, this gives parents an important connection with the adults organising their child’s learning.

Across the academy, the SENDCo oversees provision and progress for children with special educational needs or disabilities; class teachers and SEND case workers handle individual needs day to day. Families can arrange a SEND appointment through the school office. This gives concerns a clear route into the school’s support structure.

Session allocation also takes account of additional needs, balancing these between morning and afternoon groups alongside children’s ages, gender balance and working parents’ childcare needs.

Nursery attendance neither guarantees a Reception place nor gives an application priority. Families must make a separate application through Staffordshire County Council’s admissions process at the appropriate time, meeting the normal Reception deadline. Treat that application as a separate task, even if your child already attends nursery.

Shared EYFS events are distinct from admission. A scheduled event alongside Reception children does not change the requirement to apply again.

For 2026-27, families can request morning, afternoon or full-time provision when offered a nursery place. Preferences are considered, but the requested pattern is not guaranteed: allocation depends on availability and the headteacher’s discretion. Confirm the offered pattern before arranging work or other childcare around it.

The nursery has arrangements for the 30-hour entitlement and paid wraparound provision, with places subject to availability. Allocation considers sibling links, requests for the full entitlement or paid wraparound, and additional hours requested. Contact the academy for entitlement and wraparound details and current charges.

Applications for nursery go directly to the academy. Enquiries can be made to the office on 01782 567740 or at office@bursley.staffs.sch.uk. Nursery collection is at 3:15pm through the rear entrance. For journeys by car, the school asks families to park courteously and use the dance school car park for park and stride, helping reduce congestion around collection.