The Brow Community Primary School Nursery Review

A favourite book chosen by a child, with children encouraged to explain their choice, gives The Brow's nursery a clear character: stories and children's own voices matter here. This is the nursery provision within The Brow Community Primary School in Halton Brow, Runcorn, with a nursery leader, deputy and assistant forming its team.

At the school's Ofsted inspection on 8 and 9 June 2022, early years provision was graded Good. That judgement covers the school's early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery. The nursery's own daily detail is more revealing for parents: children choose stories, families can join classroom play, and learning observations are shared through Tapestry.

Story time gives children a turn to lead. For the closing story, they select a book from the reading area and are encouraged to explain their choice. That combines listening to a story with practising how to express a preference. In June 2022, nursery children listened closely during stories and rhymes; across early years, children sustained their attention during learning activities.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the curriculum framework, covering seven connected areas of development. Here, play and teaching sit alongside experiences planned around children's interests and development. Communicating ideas, discussing learning and becoming more independent are explicit aims, so the focus extends beyond completing an activity to explaining it and managing more for themselves.

Mathematical language also has a place. In June 2022, early years children confidently used words including equal and doubling, giving them language for describing number relationships. For physical education, nursery children wear their PE clothes on Wednesdays. The nursery's behaviour expectations are simple: respect others, act kindly and keep safe. Individual smiley-face rewards and shared class rewards recognise those habits, with children choosing the reward earned by their group.

The nursery leader also holds the early years SENCO role and is a licensed Thrive practitioner. The deputy leads WELLCOMM and Early Talk Boost. All three nursery team members are listed with paediatric first-aid qualifications, bringing care skills alongside responsibilities for learning and language support.

Tapestry gives parents observations and updates about their child's learning. Stay and play adds direct conversation: sessions are scheduled for the last Friday of each month, except December and July, from 9am to 10.30am. Families can play alongside their child in the classroom and speak with staff, making this a practical opportunity to connect home and nursery experiences.

For special educational needs and disabilities, the school's Assess, Plan, Do, Review process provides a cycle for identifying needs and reconsidering support. Its SENCo works with families, teachers and outside professionals, so support planning includes parental input as well as classroom information.

Separate applications. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply again through the normal Reception admissions process by the applicable deadline. Choosing this nursery should therefore be a decision about the nursery experience itself, with the Reception application treated as a separate task.

Contact the school office on 01928 563089 to discuss nursery places or arrange a visit. The address is The Clough, Halton Brow, Runcorn, WA7 2HB.

Wednesday PE clothing consists of a white T-shirt, navy shorts or jogging bottoms, a school jumper or hoodie, and pumps or trainers. Dressing for PE before nursery keeps that preparation at home.