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Nursery at Woodrow First School
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Polar Bear Protectors, cardboard habitats and a classroom map give Woodrow’s nursery a distinctive starting point: imaginative stories become reasons to make, talk and investigate. This is the nursery within Woodrow First School in Woodrow South, Redditch, with provision for three- and four-year-olds and limited places for eligible two-year-olds approaching their third birthday within the term.
Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 4 and 5 June 2024. Children’s activities suited their needs, while adults helped develop communication and independence. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Three brief carpet gatherings punctuate the day, alongside snacks and play that children choose indoors and outside. Adults help children with their choices and activities. Outdoor areas are used daily, so outdoor learning is part of the routine rather than an occasional addition. Once children have settled, PE takes place weekly; nursery children do not need a separate PE kit.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning with developing independence here. Creative work follows EYFS guidance and Development Matters, with Access Art supporting exploration of materials and marks. Nursery examples include painting rabbits from observation and constructing cardboard creations. These give children practical ways to look closely and express ideas.
Mantle of the Expert adds an imaginary team role and a problem to solve. As Polar Bear Protectors, nursery children explored Arctic videos and a classroom map to help a fictional bear return home. They also built it a shelter from recycled materials. Elsewhere, nursery children have observed growing seeds and flowers, linking seasonal changes to their developing understanding of past and present.
In June 2024, early years classrooms and outdoor spaces supported children’s engagement, and conversations with adults developed language. The school also needed to strengthen writing across its classes and year groups, improve assessment in some subjects and evaluate improvement strategies more precisely. Those were school-wide concerns, distinct from the positive early years findings.
Starting nursery includes a home visit and/or an induction presentation. The home visit brings staff and families together before the child begins, with time for questions, funding paperwork and discussion of starting arrangements. Settling support is individual: staff discuss possible approaches with parents when a child finds separation difficult.
A team of adults supports the nursery, with the day’s classroom team shown on a window welcome board. Toilets are close to classrooms, and children have photograph-labelled pegs to help them recognise their belongings. Children can attend before they are toilet trained; staff discuss their needs and work with home routines. Additional support needs can also be discussed before starting.
Milk, fruit and water are offered during sessions. Children attending through the 30-hour arrangement have a lunch period; morning and afternoon children eat at home around their session. A lunch trolley holds lunchboxes, making that part of the day easy for children to recognise.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must make a separate application through Worcestershire County Council, which allocates places. Applications begin on 1 September before the year of entry, with the deadline usually in mid-January of the starting year. Keep this application separate from accepting a nursery place.
Summer-term swimming tasters take place before children are due to begin Reception. These introduce another school activity, but do not change the admissions process.
Morning sessions run from 8.45 to 11.45; afternoons run from 12.00 to 3.00. The 30-hour funded option runs from 8.45 to 3.00. Attendance is expected Monday to Friday within the allocated pattern, and flexible days are not offered. This is a fixed weekly commitment for families arranging work or other childcare.
Three- and four-year-olds qualify for 15 funded hours. Eligible families using 30-hour funding apply for a code and give it to nursery. For children on that arrangement, an additional 1 hour and 15 minutes each week is charged, with agreement at induction and monthly billing. Using another nursery alongside Woodrow may also bring a further charge. Contact the school for current charges.
Nursery enquiries go through the office on 01527 527619 or office@woodrow.worcs.sch.uk. Uniform is optional. Bring clothing suitable for daily outdoor use, with spare clothes or a nappy bag as needed; these can stay on the child’s peg.
Limited rising-three places are available for children turning three within the term who qualify for two-year-old funding.
No. Children are expected to attend Monday to Friday in their allocated morning, afternoon or full-day session, allowing for illness, appointments and occasional family circumstances.
No. Staff discuss each child’s situation with parents and support home routines.
Children attending through the 30-hour funded arrangement have an allocated lunch period. Morning and afternoon children eat at home before or after nursery.
No. A separate application through Worcestershire County Council is required. The application deadline is usually mid-January in the year the child starts school.
