Churchfield CofE Primary Academy Nursery

Hoglets and Hedgehogs give Churchfield’s youngest children two named stages before school. Hoglets welcomes children from the term following their second birthday; Hedgehogs is the next stage before Reception. Across Little Scholars and Nursery, Churchfield takes children aged two, three and four. This is the academy’s own early years provision in Rugeley, rather than a separate nursery school.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Outstanding at its inspection on 27 and 28 September 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than awarding the nursery a separate grade.

Books, language and early mathematics give the learning a clear direction. In September 2023, the early years curriculum was exceptionally carefully planned, with vocabulary development, enthusiasm for books and early mathematical understanding woven into teaching. For parents, these are concrete priorities: learning to communicate, becoming interested in reading and building an understanding of numbers.

Early phonics begins in Nursery. Essential Letters and Sounds is the named scheme used across the early years foundation stage (EYFS), giving sound learning a shared approach. Daily phonics teaching uses groups suited to the children, with teachers and teaching assistants trained in the scheme. The emphasis is on the foundations of reading and spelling.

The school has classroom reading corners alongside a refurbished library. These are school facilities, while the nursery’s learning emphasis is on books and language. Session choice also shapes the day: Hoglets’ shorter pattern is in the afternoon, whereas Hedgehogs’ shorter pattern is in the morning.

Settling into classroom life was a strength in September 2023: early years children had adjusted very quickly and were keen to follow familiar routines. That matters for children beginning their first regular experience of education, when knowing what happens next can help them feel settled.

Families receive the school’s Family Letter through Class Dojo each Friday. A lunch club is offered only for children attending all day and carries an additional charge, making it a practical part of the longer attendance pattern.

Additional needs. The school has a special educational needs coordinator who can be contacted through the school office. In September 2023, a few pupils across the school were receiving insufficiently precise support and adaptations. This was a school-wide concern, rather than a nursery-specific finding; families needing additional support should discuss their child’s individual requirements with the team.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Staffordshire’s school admissions service handles applications for September Reception entry; nursery enquiries go directly to Churchfield. Treat the two applications as separate decisions when planning your child’s next step.

Both groups have a 30-hour pattern running from 9am to 3:30pm. For the 15-hour pattern, Hoglets runs from 12:30pm to 3:30pm, while Hedgehogs runs from 9am to noon. Additional mornings can be booked for Hoglets and additional afternoons for Hedgehogs, with charges applying to those extra sessions. Contact the school for current charges.

Wraparound care. Nursery children cannot attend the school’s breakfast and after-school clubs. Families needing care beyond the nursery session will need another arrangement.

Visits can be arranged by calling 01889 224520. Nursery applications are handled directly by the school, and families can also use its contact form to make an enquiry.