St Andrew's Benn Nursery, Rugby

Stories, rhymes and conversation give St Andrew's Benn Nursery its character. Children join from the term following their third birthday, with funded provision for eligible three- and four-year-olds within St Andrew's Benn CofE (Voluntary Aided) Primary School on Chester Street, Rugby.

This is a term-time nursery with morning, afternoon and full-day patterns. In the Ofsted inspection published on 3 February 2026, early years met the Expected standard. That judgement covers the school's early years provision, rather than awarding the nursery a separate grade.

Learning combines adult teaching with children's own discoveries. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and Development Matters guide the curriculum: children build skills through play, conversation and planned activities. Whole-class teaching and smaller groups sit alongside learning that grows from whatever captures a child's interest.

Indoors, activities let children revisit skills introduced by adults. Outside, children have more scope to pursue their own ideas. Both environments provide opportunities to negotiate, collaborate and practise language, so learning includes working out how to share an activity with someone else. Adults demonstrate different approaches to problems and recognise persistence, exploration and trying another strategy.

Language support helps children take part in learning. In the early years findings published on 3 February 2026, visual prompts aided understanding, especially for children learning English. Conversation, rhymes and stories widened vocabulary, building foundations for early literacy and number learning. Nursery children adapted readily to routines, with speaking and listening developed from the start.

Creative work includes drawing, painting and three-dimensional art, combining adult demonstrations with exploration. Nursery PE takes place on Thursdays, when children should come dressed in their PE kit.

Settling begins before the first session. Home visits give families time to discuss their child, and the nursery team makes contact to confirm the place and get to know the child. Nursery teaching assistants support the class. In February 2026, secure relationships with adults helped children feel comfortable and happy; early years staff recognised additional needs from the beginning and adjusted learning accordingly.

Parents receive a progress update each term. Staff discuss children's development within the team and can introduce extra support when a need becomes apparent, rather than waiting for the next assessment point. For children with SEND, settling arrangements may be adapted. A multi-agency meeting can bring existing professionals together before the child starts, helping staff prepare support.

Full-day children need lunch. Families can send a healthy packed lunch that contains no nuts, or book a charged hot meal through School Spider. Educaterers cooks meals on site, with vegetarian, meat and jacket-potato choices. Free school meals depend on eligibility; families apply through Warwickshire, which determines entitlement.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the local authority's common application form, meeting the deadline set by the authority. Warwickshire coordinates the application route. Treat this as a fresh application, even when your child already attends nursery.

Support with the change of class is a separate matter. For children with SEND, staff pass information and individual learning plans to the next teacher in advance, usually with a planning meeting. A photo book may be made when it would help a child understand the change. These arrangements support familiarity; they do not secure admission.

The nursery operates Monday to Friday during term time and offers government-funded sessions only. The 15-hour pattern consists of five mornings, 8:30am to 11:30am, or five afternoons, 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Those morning and afternoon sessions cannot be combined on one day. Eligible working parents can access up to 30 funded hours, with full-day attendance running from 8:30am to 3:30pm. A valid 11-digit childcare code is required and must be reconfirmed each term.

Full-day extras. The hour between 11:30am and 12:30pm is unfunded and charged separately, with monthly invoicing through School Spider. A kitchen lunch also carries a charge when chosen. Ask the school for current charges when planning your arrangements.

Nursery children should wear the school sweatshirt; full uniform is optional. Label clothing with the child's first and second names. Collection is from outside the classroom, by a parent or an adult the teacher knows.

Return the completed nursery application to the school office. Enquiries go to admin3591@welearn365.com or 01788 574697, and prospective families can arrange a school visit.