Larkrise Primary School Nursery Review

Purposeful learning and early classroom routines give Larkrise’s nursery its clearest character. Wren is the nursery class within Larkrise Primary School in Oxford. Children usually join in the term following their third birthday. An earlier start is possible for children eligible for two-year-old funding, but only during the term in which they turn three.

At the Ofsted inspection on 21 and 22 March 2023, early years provision received a Good judgement. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Learning activities have a clear purpose. In March 2023, the early years curriculum was carefully designed, with attention paid to what each activity would achieve. For parents, the useful distinction is that activities serve a learning aim: keeping children occupied is not the whole task.

Classroom habits begin early too. In March 2023, children in early years were learning to listen attentively and take an active part in learning. These routines give young children practice in joining an activity and paying attention to others. The nursery offers morning and afternoon sessions, giving families two distinct parts of the day to choose between.

Early identification of additional needs matters here. In March 2023, special educational needs and disabilities were recognised promptly, often during early years, and children received support of a high standard. This gives families a reason to raise concerns early, while their child is beginning nursery.

For questions about SEND, the first contact is the child’s class teacher. The school also directs families towards Oxfordshire’s SENDIASS, which provides independent advice and support for parents and carers. That gives parents another route for discussing their child’s needs alongside conversations with staff. Keep those conversations focused on the help your child needs to participate in nursery learning.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Oxfordshire County Council, with January 15th the deadline for an on-time application for the following September. Treat this as a separate decision and application, even if your child is already attending Wren.

Reception application. A nursery place does not remove the need to apply again. Put the Reception deadline in your calendar independently of nursery arrangements. If a Reception application is unsuccessful, families can appeal or join the continued interest list, through which they are contacted when a place becomes available.

Morning sessions run from 8.40 am to 11.40 am; afternoon sessions run from 12.15 pm to 3.15 pm. The universal funded offer is 15 hours each week in either a morning or an afternoon session. A 30-hour weekly option is offered to parents and carers who qualify.

Families qualifying for 30 hours can choose a 2.40 pm collection from the school office. Additional childcare hours can also be purchased. Ask the school for current charges when considering those extra hours.

To begin a nursery enquiry, request an Initial Interest Pack using the nursery enquiry form, including your child’s name and date of birth. This starts the nursery conversation separately from the county council’s Reception application process.