Stoke-by-Nayland Church of England Primary School Nursery

Saplings brings nursery children into a classroom shared with older pupils, while Forest School gives learning a regular outdoor strand. Stoke-by-Nayland Church of England Primary School has 13 nursery places for children aged three and four. Nursery children share their class with Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, so the nursery cohort also depends on keeping the combined class within 30 pupils. This is a mixed-age start to school life.

The school describes its ethos as Christian, with collective worship central to school life. At the September 2023 Ofsted inspection, too few early-years children were attending for a separate early-years judgement to be made. The school's overall Good outcome should therefore not be read as a nursery grade.

Exploring, asking questions and playing shape learning in Saplings. Children choose activities at some points and work individually or in small groups with an adult at others. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum develops knowledge in stages appropriate to children's ages, as established in September 2023. For parents, that means play sits alongside planned learning rather than filling the time between lessons.

A canopy shelters the shared outdoor learning area from rain and provides shade. Saplings also uses the library and hall, with space for stories, instruments, movement and games. These give children different settings for listening, making sounds and being physically active.

Forest School takes place weekly for each class, with activities shaped by children's interests. The Wild Garden includes habitats made from dead wood, growing planters and digging areas. Children can investigate insects beneath logs and stones or collect natural materials for creative work. The approach gives them choices and practical problems to explore. A qualified Forest School leader runs sessions with support staff; tool work for EYFS children requires one adult to one child.

French starts in nursery too. A specialist teacher uses simple games and songs with the youngest children, introducing another language through activities they can join in with.

Lunch can be brought from home or taken as a school meal, and children staying for lunch eat in the hall with adults available to help. Aspens provides the school meal service and can cater for allergies, intolerances and religious dietary requirements. Parents need to discuss those requirements with the catering team.

Monday Baby and Toddler Sessions allow parents and carers to spend time with their child at school, including families who are new to it. This offers a way to become familiar with the setting together. Families seeking SEND support can speak with the class teacher or the SEND coordinator, whose role is combined with the headteacher's.

Safeguarding records. In September 2023, school-wide safeguarding arrangements were effective, but records did not capture all important information about vulnerable pupils. Consistent documentation was required so cases could be reviewed or passed between safeguarding leads. A separate school-wide teaching concern involved pupils repeating tasks they had already mastered, slowing their progress; staff were asked to adapt work more promptly.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Suffolk County Council, online or using CAF1. For the 2026-2027 entry cycle, nursery attendance did not confer oversubscription priority: the criteria covered care status, siblings, catchment residence and distance.

For entry in 2027-2028, the proposed arrangements give 15 January 2027 as the application deadline. Treat that as a proposed deadline and check the final arrangements for your child's entry year. Sharing a classroom and outdoor space can provide continuity, but it does not change the admissions process.

The universal funded entitlement covers 15 hours each week across 38 weeks, following school terms. Morning sessions run from 9am to midday; families can also combine full and half days. Eligible children can receive an additional 15 funded hours, with afternoon sessions running from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. A full week from 9am to 3.30pm, including lunch, totals 32.5 hours, so it exceeds the funded 30 hours.

Meals, consumables, extra hours and additional activities may carry charges. Contact the office for current charges and to agree the attendance pattern. Early Bird Club offers a 7.30am start booked at least three days ahead, or an 8.15am start arranged on the day; Tea Bird Club runs from 3.30pm to 5pm with at least three days' advance booking.

Nursery application forms are available by email or from the office. Completed forms go back with a birth certificate. Visits can be arranged by contacting the school. Saplings children wear uniform, with royal blue and white as the school colours.