Fladbury CofE Primary School and Preschool: Nursery Review

A whole Wednesday outdoors gives Fladbury’s preschool a distinctive rhythm. For three- and four-year-olds, this is school-based early learning with a woodland dimension: children share Wye Class with Reception, use the school’s facilities and join activities with their older classmates.

The preschool operates during school terms. Its Church of England setting also shapes the experience, with preschool children taking part in school worship and church services. In the Ofsted inspection of 25 and 26 February 2025, the school’s early years provision was judged Outstanding. That judgement covers early years across the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Play leads the learning. Development Matters guides the early years curriculum, with children choosing activities alongside work led by adults. In practical terms, the early years foundation stage (EYFS) here involves exploring, developing independence and learning with others. Wye Class uses a broad question each half-term, while planning also responds to individual interests and next steps. The routine gives children a familiar structure but can change as the year progresses.

Cookery, music, physical education and phonics feature in adult-led learning. Outdoors, the playground and play equipment provide space for activity, while the quiet garden offers a different pace. Forest School has a substantial place in the week: Wednesday is a full outdoor day. In February 2025, preschool children worked together in the woodland to identify wildlife, connecting teamwork with direct observation of nature.

Concentration and persistence were strengths across early years in February 2025. Children stayed with activities for extended periods, and the curriculum developed independence and resilience. For parents, that gives substance to the emphasis on play: the aim extends beyond keeping children occupied to helping them sustain an interest and tackle a task.

Settling can happen gradually. Children who find the change difficult are encouraged to begin with shorter introductory sessions, giving them time to become familiar with the routine. The staffing structure includes preschool and Reception teachers, teaching assistants and a preschool manager. Year 4 buddies help preschool children during lunch and playtimes, adding contact with older pupils to everyday school life.

Food arrangements need attention when choosing sessions. Children are encouraged to bring fruit or vegetable sticks for their morning snack. The Deli at Pershore supplies lunches, with hot meals available daily on a three-week cycle and cold choices too; children can instead bring a packed lunch. Preschool families may qualify for Nursery Free School Meals. Cool Milk is ordered automatically for preschool children under five, and children should bring a labelled water bottle.

Class Dojo connects home with the classroom through updates, portfolios and direct messages to class staff. It suits brief exchanges; important matters can be discussed with staff before or after school. For special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the school has a SEND coordinator as a contact for families.

Sharing Wye Class makes Reception familiar, but attendance at preschool does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal Reception process, with Worcestershire County Council School Admissions as the application route.

Summer-term Reception Taster sessions introduce children to teachers and classmates through play. Regular shared activities, including trips, also give preschool children experience alongside Reception pupils. These arrangements support the change in daily life; they do not replace the admissions process.

The funded patterns centre on 9:25am to 3:25pm. Universal 15-hour funding starts from 1st January, 1st April or 1st September following your child's third birthday. For 15 hours, families can choose five mornings ending at 12:25pm, five afternoons starting then, or either of two patterns combining two full days with a Wednesday half-day. Eligible working families can use 30 hours across five days, or choose a shorter 15-hour pattern. Preschool follows the school calendar rather than operating throughout the year.

Wednesday lunch. Morning sessions include lunch except on Wednesday; afternoon sessions include it only on Wednesday. This matters when arranging meals. A Forest School top-up extends a Wednesday half-day, with unused funded hours usable for the additional three hours. Otherwise, a charge applies. Early Bird care runs from 8:55am to 9:25am at an additional charge, and charged wraparound care spans 7:45am to 5:30pm. Contact the school for current charges.

Preschool clothing comprises a red polo shirt, navy pull-on shorts or jogging bottoms and a school sweatshirt; red gingham dresses are an option in summer. Drop-off uses the Main Office Entrance, with midday collection at 12:25pm and afternoon collection between 3:20pm and 3:25pm. For enquiries or to arrange a visit, call 01386 860301.