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Nursery at The Palmer Primary Academy
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Language gives Palmer’s nursery its character. In November 2022, the early years curriculum was exceptional, with a pronounced emphasis on speaking and understanding language; Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Outstanding. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
The on-site nursery caters for three- and four-year-olds at Northumberland Avenue in Reading. Both 15-hour and 30-hour funded places are offered, with 16 places available under the 30-hour arrangement. This is the longer-hours allocation, rather than the nursery’s total capacity.
Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised starts in Nursery. Children begin phonics, learning how letters relate to sounds, while speaking and listening receive explicit attention. The combination gives early reading a language foundation rather than treating it simply as recognising letters.
Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the November 2022 findings described children eager to discover things and a learning environment organised to support that curiosity. Communication with families was also strong, giving parents a useful connection to their child’s learning.
A nursery class teacher works alongside two early years practitioners, who lead the Squirrel and Foxes groups. Those named groups give the nursery a smaller-group structure within the school’s early years provision.
Settling begins before the first session. Families normally hear from the school six to eight weeks before their child starts, with nursery visits, a home visit and a start date arranged. Visits include discussion of the transition process, so parents have time to talk through the move into nursery before attendance begins.
For children staying through lunch under either 30-hour pattern, families supply a packed lunch for lunch club. Food is therefore part of the preparation for the longer day.
SEND support uses a cycle of assessing needs, planning help, putting it into practice and reviewing its effect. Parents participate in decisions, and children receiving SEND support have three meetings a year between their parents and class teacher, with SENCO involvement where required.
Individual support. In November 2022, school-wide concerns included imprecise SEND plans and uneven staff expertise in adapting learning. Teaching knowledge and methods for helping pupils retain learning also needed attention across the school. These were whole-school concerns, not separate nursery judgements; families whose child needs additional help should discuss the specific support plan and its review points.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and confers no priority under the 2026–27 admission arrangements. Families must make a separate application through Brighter Futures for Children, acting for Reading Borough Council. The normal-round deadline is 15 January. Treat that application as a separate task, even when your child already attends Palmer’s nursery.
Transition support is distinct from allocation. Children due to join Reception visit the classroom and meet staff beforehand. For children with identified SEND, the SENCO also visits their preschool setting and/or home, with attendance at preschool meetings where appropriate. Familiarity can help prepare a child for the move; it does not determine who receives a place.
Morning nursery starts at 8.50am and finishes at 11.45am, with drop-off between 8.45am and 8.50am. The afternoon session runs from 12.30pm to 3.30pm; its drop-off window is 12.30pm to 12.40pm. Collection and drop-off use the nursery front door.
Eligible families choosing 30-hour funding have two patterns: 8.45am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday, with a termly charge for additional hours, or those hours Monday to Thursday followed by 8.45am to 11.45am on Friday, with no additional-hours charge. Contact the school for current charges.
Funding codes must be validated before a 30-hour place is offered and renewed every three months. Nursery enquiries go through the school office on 0118 9375481 or the contact form; nursery applications are managed by the school.
The on-site nursery caters for children aged three and four.
Morning nursery runs from 8.50am to 11.45am. Afternoon nursery runs from 12.30pm to 3.30pm.
Yes. Palmer offers 15-hour funded places and 30-hour places for eligible families, subject to space and validation of the funding code.
Children attending either 30-hour pattern need a packed lunch for lunch club.
No. Nursery attendance gives no priority under the 2026–27 arrangements. Parents must apply separately through Brighter Futures for Children by the normal-round deadline of 15 January.
