St Matthew's Bloxam CofE Primary School Nursery Review

Indoor and outdoor play connect this nursery with the school's wider early years provision. Children can move between the two learning environments while the nursery works alongside Reception, making shared space a defining feature of the day.

St Matthew's Bloxam has a governor-run nursery on its school site in Rugby. Nursery and Reception form the early years phase, with oversight from an early years lead teacher. Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 10 and 11 January 2023; this is an early years judgement within the school inspection, rather than a separate nursery rating.

Play is the starting point. The school aims to shape early years activities around children's interests and individual needs, with adults extending learning through conversation and interaction. Learning happens outdoors as well as indoors, so the nursery experience reaches beyond classroom activities.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach includes practical exploration. In art, children try printing and collage alongside drawing, painting and three-dimensional work. Adults demonstrate techniques, then children have opportunities to experiment. These activities also develop control of larger movements and smaller hand movements.

Construction and mark-making bring another practical strand. Children choose materials, explore how things work and practise handling paintbrushes and scissors. They begin to explain their preferences and suggest changes to what they make. This gives creative play a purpose: trying an idea, making a choice and talking about the result.

Stories connect learning with children's own experience. Early years history includes events in family life, combining activities initiated by children with those led by adults. Geography uses stories and activities about nearby places and the wider world, with the aim of helping children understand their surroundings.

A level 3 teaching assistant runs the nursery, with support from a level 2 teaching assistant and supervision by the early years phase leader. That structure links the nursery team with leadership across the early years phase.

The school aims to include every child and identifies SEND needs across communication, learning, emotional wellbeing and physical or sensory development. Families can contact the SEND coordinator through the school telephone number. This provides a contact for discussing a child's needs.

Food is part of Building Blox wraparound care. Breakfast choices include toast or cereal with a drink; the after-school club provides drinks and light snacks. These are club arrangements, distinct from the nursery session itself.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the deadline for their child's entry year. The route is Warwickshire County Council's primary school admissions service.

Shared indoor and outdoor provision gives nursery children contact with the Reception environment. That everyday connection is separate from the allocation of school places: familiarity with the setting does not secure admission.

Funded 15 and 30 hour nursery places are offered, alongside wraparound care. Building Blox operates during term time, with a before-school session from 7.45am to 8.45am and after-school care from 3.15pm to 6pm. Club registration must be completed before attendance. Ask the school for current charges.

Uniform applies to nursery children. Options include a jade green polo shirt, navy cardigan or sweatshirt, and grey trousers, shorts, skirt or pinafore. School logos are optional on the listed tops. Label clothing clearly to help identify misplaced items.

Visits can be arranged through the school office. For nursery enquiries, telephone 01788 542610 or email admin3213@welearn365.com. The school is on Webb Ellis Road, Rugby, CV22 7AU.