St George's CofE First School and Nursery: Nursery Review

Conversation gives this nursery its clearest character. In February 2024, children in the early years were building vocabulary, asking questions and discussing their experiences, with adults adjusting activities around their interests. That puts language alongside practical exploration.

The nursery belongs to the school's Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) department in Redditch and caters for children aged three and four. Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at its inspection on 6 and 7 February 2024. This judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

EYFS Development Matters guides the learning. In parent language, this means developing communication, movement and emotional understanding alongside early reading, mathematics, creativity and knowledge of the world. Activities use practical exploration and topics chosen to interest the children, giving them something concrete to investigate and discuss.

Gardens is one nursery topic, paired with early number work. PE takes place on Fridays, while Thursdays are the day for reading books. These are useful anchors for families preparing for the week: physical activity and books have their own place alongside topic learning.

In February 2024, early years teaching followed a carefully organised curriculum, with activities adapted to encourage participation. Adults prompted curiosity and conversation, and vocabulary received close attention. The practical implication is a learning approach that connects what children do with the words they use to explain it.

Sharing and expressing feelings also form part of the day. The EYFS behaviour approach teaches routines and positive relationships through praise and rewards tailored to the child. Learning how to take turns and communicate emotions sits alongside the beginnings of literacy and number.

For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the class teacher is the first contact for parents. Support follows Assess, Plan, Do, Review: staff identify needs, agree help, put it into practice and check its effect with families. Teaching can be adjusted, with individual help or small-group work where needed.

Two parent consultations and an annual written report provide scheduled contact; children on the SEND register also have three additional review meetings. This gives families repeated opportunities to discuss progress and revise support. A Family Support Worker and SEND coordinator are part of the wider school team.

Food arrangements require attention to allergies. The school caters for allergies, parents must tell staff about them, and an allergy matrix can be requested from the office. Dinner menus follow a three-week rotation. For children with medical conditions, individual care plans are shared with the relevant staff, helping care requirements travel beyond a single adult.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate school application through the normal admissions process; the application route is Worcestershire's Citizen Portal.

Transition support is a separate matter. Within the school, children have a July transition day with their next teacher and support staff, accompanied by a detailed staff handover. Children on the SEND register may have extra classroom visits and a booklet showing their new adults and surroundings. These arrangements help prepare children for change; they do not secure admission.

The booking choice is between a 15-hour part-time pattern and 30-hour full-time attendance. The shorter pattern runs Monday to Friday, either from 8:30 to 11:30 in the morning or from 12:10 to 15:10 in the afternoon. Full and half days cannot be mixed. A chosen pattern generally cannot be switched, although families with a funding code or those paying for additional hours may increase attendance to full time.

All three- and four-year-olds are entitled to 15 funded hours each week. Eligibility for 30 funded hours requires a qualifying code obtained through Childcare Choices, renewed every three months. Families can also pay to increase attendance to full time. Without lunch, collection is at 14:30; choosing school lunch means collection at 15:10. A charged later collection option also runs to 15:10. Refer to the school for current charges.

Visits can be arranged by calling 01527 62263. Nursery applications use a separate form, with a Word version obtainable from the office. Across the school site, wheelchair access serves entrances and school sections, with a disabled toilet and designated parking for disabled visitors.