Haytor View Community Primary School Nursery

Play-based learning and support shaped around individual children give Haytor View’s nursery its focus. Early years provision starts from age 3, within Haytor View Community Primary School on Queensway in Newton Abbot. The school uses a relational approach: adults consider children’s circumstances and emotional responses when planning support.

The school’s Ofsted rating is Requires Improvement. This is a school judgement, not a separate nursery inspection outcome.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the framework for children’s learning and care. Its areas connect language, physical development and emotional development with early reading, mathematics, creativity and understanding the world. For parents, that means learning extends beyond letters and numbers to how children communicate, move and relate to others.

Play-based learning can be adapted to individual development. Where children need extra help, the school’s support arrangements include revisiting earlier learning, building vocabulary and working in smaller groups. These give staff different ways to approach a child’s next step, rather than expecting each child to learn in the same way.

Settling starts with the child’s individual needs. Induction planning considers family information and how the child will cope with a new setting; individual transition plans are developed where appropriate. Taster sessions let children become familiar with their classroom and meet their Learning Leader before starting.

For additional needs, the school uses Assess, Plan, Do, Review. Parents contribute to individual plans and their review, so support can change as staff and families learn more about the child. Class teachers and Phase Leaders work with the SENDCo, with specialist professionals involved where needed. Families can raise concerns initially with the class teacher or Phase Leader.

Physical access matters too. The school has wheelchair access and a disabled toilet. Medical support can include personal care and medicines, planned with families and professionals through healthcare arrangements. The school also uses Relational Care Plans to identify what a child finds difficult and how adults should respond. This gives families a concrete way to discuss emotional needs alongside learning needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the local authority where their child lives; Devon residents apply through Devon County Council.

For the 2025–26 admission year, nursery attendance was not a Reception priority criterion. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as separate decisions, and apply by the deadline for the relevant admission year.

Transition support is a separate matter. For children with SEND, Phase Leaders consider individual needs when planning changes of class or setting. This is preparation for change, not an admissions advantage.

Three session options were offered in the 2022 nursery application arrangements: morning, 8.30am to 11.30am; afternoon, 12.20pm to 3.20pm; and all day, 9.00am to 3.00pm. Families entered their requested sessions against Monday to Friday. Requested times did not determine whether a place was available.

Nursery enquiries go to the school office, and completed nursery application forms are returned to the school. Families can arrange a school visit before deciding whether to apply. This provides an opportunity to discuss the child’s needs before formal paperwork.