St Swithun's CofE Primary School Nursery Review

A mud kitchen, a wooded play area and interconnected classrooms give the nursery at St Swithun's CofE Primary School a practical, exploratory character. It belongs to Saplings, the school's Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), with nursery groups named Squirrels, Foxes and Badgers. The emphasis is on children choosing resources and developing ideas, with adults helping them take their learning further.

Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 11 and 12 October 2022. That judgement covers the early years as a whole, rather than being a separate nursery rating.

Resources remain within children's reach through continuous provision: materials children can return to as their play develops. Within the EYFS, learning includes language, physical development, literacy and mathematics, alongside personal and social development, understanding the world and expressive arts. In parent terms, this brings talking, moving, making and exploring together.

Indoors, connected classrooms allow children to use different parts of Saplings at points during the day. Adults observe their interests and introduce materials or guidance to move an idea forward. Children can make choices for themselves; adult involvement gives those choices a learning purpose.

Outside, the large sandpit and planting troughs sit alongside climbing equipment, a mud kitchen and woodland. There are grass and hard surfaces, plus shelter under a covered area. Children use the outdoor areas daily, whatever the weather, so outdoor exploration is part of ordinary nursery life. The combination gives scope for messy play, movement and encounters with nature.

In October 2022, adults helped children practise waiting, sharing and working together on creative challenges. A woodwork workshop was one example. Saplings' early years design and technology goals include building for a purpose, using simple tools appropriately and changing constructions when needed. Making involves decisions as well as materials. Additional help addressed barriers to learning, while children showing particular talents received further challenge. These are useful foundations for learning alongside other children.

Settling starts with contact between home and the early years team. Families are offered home visits, parent meetings and drop-in sessions; staff also visit and speak with previous settings. This gives adults opportunities to learn about a child before the change of setting, rather than beginning that conversation once nursery attendance starts.

The early years team includes key persons and teaching assistants. Parents can speak with their child's key person about individual ways to support learning at home, and regular parent workshops extend that partnership. For wider concerns, the class teacher can be contacted through the office or approached after the school day.

Across the school, teachers plan adaptations so children can access learning. A SENCO and Inclusion Lead provide a route for discussing additional needs. Within the early years, the October 2022 findings describe adults adjusting support to individual children, making inclusion a practical part of play and learning.

A separate application is essential. Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply again through the Admissions Team in Oxfordshire County Council, using the normal Reception application process and meeting the deadline for their child's entry year. Nursery registration and Reception allocation are separate decisions.

The shared Saplings spaces offer familiarity with the early years surroundings. That physical continuity should be considered separately from admission: knowing the setting does not secure a place.

The nursery timetable runs from 9am to 3pm, with lunch between noon and 1pm. Those nursery hours are the relevant starting point for planning the family day.

For nursery registration and a visit, contact the school office on 01865 415105. Nursery enquiries can also go to office.3258@st-swithuns.oxon.sch.uk.

Plan the journey. Parking is outside the school grounds, with limited space on nearby streets. St Swithun's Church on The Avenue provides a parking option for collection and drop-off. Families are asked to avoid parking on Grundy Crescent, and walking or cycling is encouraged where possible.