Battle Primary Academy Nursery

Dangerous Dinosaurs, Starry Night and Once upon a time give Battle Primary Academy’s nursery learning a distinct set of themes. This is the school’s own nursery on Cranbury Road in Reading, with learning organised within its early years provision. Curiosity and play shape the school’s ambitions for these youngest children, alongside confidence, independence and relationships with other children.

Ofsted judged early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 19 and 20 November 2024. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework for learning. Battle aims to help children become independent, develop friendships and persevere through challenges, using play and curiosity as starting points. For parents, the emphasis is on how children learn as well as what they learn: building confidence to explore and developing the relationships that help them participate.

Cornerstones provides the curriculum framework for foundation subjects, including Nursery. The nursery’s learning themes move from Me and My Community in the first autumn half-term to Once upon a time in the second. Spring brings Starry Night followed by Dangerous Dinosaurs; Sunshine and sunflowers follows in the first summer half-term. These give families concrete starting points for conversations about their child’s learning.

In November 2024, children made good progress through the early years curriculum. Reading teaching began within early years, with phonics supporting the development of reading skills. Children learning English as an additional language received effective support from the beginning, making language development a significant part of the provision.

Individual needs mattered alongside learning expectations in November 2024. Staff combined ambition for nursery children with an understanding of their broader needs. That balance is valuable for families looking for attention to their child’s development as a whole.

The school aims to make its curriculum accessible to children with disabilities or special educational needs. Parents can contact the SENDCo through the school office. Knowledge organisers are shared through Class Dojo, giving families a way to follow the learning content.

Attending Battle’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as separate decisions: choosing this nursery should not replace planning the next application.

Morning nursery children must arrive by 08:30; the afternoon arrival deadline is 12:15. These are useful anchors when planning journeys and fitting a session around family routines.

Enquiries go to the school office on 0118 937 5421 or admin@battleprimary.co.uk. School visits can be booked through the office.

The school site slopes, which restricts access to some doors for people with limited mobility. Ground-floor levels are wheelchair accessible, and a ramped walkway leads to the school reception. Families with access requirements should discuss their visit beforehand. On-site parking is very limited, so the journey deserves some planning alongside the nursery session.