Springfield Primary School Nursery Review

Monday's Monkey-Do takes early learning into the copse, whatever the weather. That outdoor thread gives Springfield's Owlets nursery a distinctive rhythm: classroom play, short teaching sessions and opportunities to explore beyond the room.

Owlets is the school's nursery class for three-year-olds, on Barton Road in Tilehurst. Its classroom entrance is near the main reception, giving families a direct nursery drop-off point within the school. Morning and full-day provision serve children eligible for the respective funded hours.

The Ofsted report dated January 2026 assessed early years at Expected standard. Nursery children were content, received attentive care and adjusted promptly to starting school. These findings concern the school's early-years provision rather than a separate nursery inspection.

Play and adult-led learning share the day. Short carpet sessions in the morning and afternoon bring children together for language, phonics and maths; workshop time gives them scope to pursue activities independently. Planning follows Development Matters within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), combining communication, physical development and social learning with early literacy, maths, creativity and exploration of the world.

Indoors, a book area and spaces for making marks give children opportunities to explore stories and experiment with writing. Outside access is daily. The copse hosts Monday's Monkey-Do, while observing the school chickens adds a concrete starting point for learning about living things. Outdoor exploration is part of the learning pattern, rather than an occasional extra.

The nursery planning document includes Phase One activities from Letters and Sounds. The school also identifies Read Write Inc as beginning in Nursery. Across early years in January 2026, practical tasks included working with scissors, sticking materials and picking up beads with tweezers. These develop the small hand movements children need for handling tools and writing.

Songs have a public moment too. Early-years children learn ten songs and rhymes for an annual performance to parents, giving families a chance to share this part of their learning.

Settling begins with familiar stories and topics. The first-term plan uses material children already recognise, helping them engage while new routines take shape. Home visits, parent questionnaires and observations during workshop time inform topics based on children's interests. Parents can also contribute to assessments through Tapestry, bringing home learning into the conversation.

For children staying all day under the eligible funded provision, lunch comes from home. They eat their packed lunch in the nursery classroom between 11.45am and 12.45pm, keeping the meal within their usual room.

Additional support follows the school's SEND arrangements. Parents can raise concerns with the class teacher, who works with the SENCo; identified needs may lead to a support and achievement plan or pupil passport. An Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) team supports social and emotional needs. This gives families a clear starting point for discussing both learning difficulties and worries affecting their child.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal council admissions process by the deadline for their child's intake. West Berkshire residents use that council's application route; families living elsewhere apply through their home council.

Preparation for the change is a separate matter. The summer curriculum includes New Beginnings and transition activities for children moving on to Reception. That supports the next stage of learning; it does not secure admission.

The timetable gives morning sessions as 8.45am to 11.45am. The admissions page describes arrival at 8.40am for both funded patterns, with eligible full-day children leaving at 3.15pm. The two pages give different morning start times: confirm the nursery drop-off time with the school. The morning funded pattern runs five days a week.

Breakfast Club and After School Club can extend the day for eligible full-day children if spaces are available, with an additional charge. Contact the school for current charges. Nursery children enter through their classroom door, and morning collection uses the same door.

Nursery uniform permits navy or black joggers. Registration forms go directly to the school, which contacts families when a place becomes available. To arrange a nursery tour or make an enquiry, email office@springfieldprimary.org or call 0118 9421797.