Roade Primary School Nursery

Nursery has its own place in Roade’s early years team, with a Nursery and Early Years Phase Leader linking the provision to the wider school structure. The nursery is open at Roade Primary School on Hartwell Road in Roade. For families, this is a school-attached option with school-wide inclusion and pastoral teams alongside it.

Confidence, independence and enjoyment of learning are part of the school’s stated aims. Its approach to inclusion also involves adjusting learning opportunities and choosing materials to suit children’s abilities and interests. These are useful principles for considering how a young child’s learning will be supported, rather than judging the nursery by the wider school’s academic ambitions.

Support extends beyond the classroom. A Family Support Worker provides practical help as well as emotional support for children and their families across the school. Appointments can be arranged by telephone or email, giving parents a direct route to discuss concerns affecting family life or their child’s experience of school.

Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) work is another part of that school-wide structure. It supports identified children of all ages with feelings and worries, confidence and settling into school. This is targeted help: it should be understood separately from a nursery settling programme or the everyday relationship between a child and their nursery adults.

For special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the school has an inclusion team, including an Assistant Head and SENDCo and an Acting SENDCo. Roade describes working with families and specialist professionals on individual support, adjustments to teaching and targeted interventions. At the school inspection on 31 January and 1 February 2024, SEND support was inconsistent and curriculum adaptations did not always meet pupils’ needs. This was a school-wide concern; families should discuss how teaching will be adapted for their nursery child. That gives parents a team structure through which to discuss their child’s needs; it is not an assurance about an individual child’s support package.

Food also brings a practical consideration. Roade’s school-wide rules exclude nuts, including in sandwich spreads and biscuit bars, and do not allow carbonated drinks. Families preparing food to bring into school need to account for those restrictions.

Attending Roade’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Nursery and Reception admissions are separate, so families must apply again through the normal Reception process and meet the applicable deadline.

School admissions are handled by West Northamptonshire Council. Treat that application as a separate task from arranging nursery attendance: a child’s existing connection with the school must not be taken as confirmation of a Reception offer.

The school office is the contact point for arranging a visit, and Roade welcomes families to meet staff and children. Telephone 01604 862309 to arrange this. A visit provides an opportunity to discuss the provision directly with the team before making a decision.

For an appointment with a particular member of staff, contact the office. Families seeking the school’s Family Support Worker can also use admin@roadeprimary.org to arrange an appointment. Keep nursery enquiries and the council’s school admissions process separate when organising the next steps.