Moons Moat First School Nursery

Play, songs and growing independence shape the nursery at Moons Moat First School in Church Hill, Redditch. Children combine activities directed by adults with play they choose themselves, giving their own interests a place in the session. A nursery teacher and nursery nurse work within the wider Foundation Stage team; children sometimes work with other members of that team too.

The important qualification concerns teaching. Ofsted's May 2026 early years judgement was Needs attention, covering the school's early years provision rather than a separate nursery inspection. Care and learning present different pictures here.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework. In parent terms, this means helping children communicate, manage feelings and develop physical skills alongside early reading, number work, creative expression and exploration of the world. Turn-taking games and group conversations give children practice in listening to others and joining in.

Practical materials carry much of the learning. Threading and handling mouldable materials exercise the hands ahead of writing, while sand and water activities introduce comparisons of capacity, weight and length. Reading spaces and opportunities to make marks extend across indoor and outdoor learning. The Forest School area adds a place to investigate nature, connecting discoveries outdoors with questions about how things work.

Singing is part of nursery life each day, with vocabulary, counting and rhyme woven into music. Jigsaw provides a named programme for personal, social and emotional learning from nursery onwards. Nursery PE takes place on Monday mornings and Friday afternoons, while reading books are exchanged on Mondays and Fridays. That gives families a regular rhythm for movement and shared reading at home.

In May 2026, early years teaching varied too much. Some adult conversations developed children's thinking, but questions too often failed to extend learning. Activities sometimes lacked a clear focus on the knowledge children needed, so enjoyable play did not consistently lead to sufficient learning. Reading teaching was effective across early years, although some children achieved less than they could across the learning areas. More purposeful activities and better interactions linked to learning goals were the required improvements. Families should weigh those concerns alongside the practical curriculum detail.

Relationships were a strength in early years in May 2026: children received attentive care and formed secure bonds with adults. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities generally received help that enabled them to participate and make progress from their starting points.

An Early Years SEND coordinator covers the nursery. The school uses an assess, plan, do, review cycle, so support can be reconsidered as a child's needs develop. Links with the Worcestershire Speech and Language team also inform language activities in early years.

Learning journeys are shared with parents, connecting development at nursery with experiences at home. Beyond the classroom, a Family Support Worker can help families in person or by telephone with matters such as bedtime routines and managing emotions. This gives parents a route for discussing difficulties that affect family life as well as learning.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. The school directs applications to Worcestershire County Council's school admissions service.

Working with the wider Foundation Stage team gives nursery children contact with adults beyond their own class. That familiarity is separate from the allocation of a school place.

To arrange a visit, contact the school office for an appointment. General enquiries can be made on 01527 61498 or by emailing office@moonsmoat.worcs.sch.uk.

For nursery PE, children should wear practical clothing, avoiding hooded tops, with footwear they can remove and put on easily. Dresses, skirts and tights should be avoided on those days. Long hair should be tied back, and earrings removed or covered with earring tape. These instructions make the twice-weekly PE routine easier to prepare for.