Kiwi Primary School Nursery Review

At the October 2024 inspection, action rhymes gave Kiwi’s nursery children practice in communication and coordination, combining words with movement. This is the school’s own provision for three- and four-year-olds, within Kiwi Primary School at Bulford Camp. Children can join from the term after their third birthday.

The early years provision was judged Requires improvement at the Ofsted inspection on 15 and 16 October 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating. Families should weigh the practical learning examples alongside that assessment.

Incy Wincy Spider gives a clear picture of nursery learning in October 2024. Children enjoyed the rhyme and its accompanying actions, bringing language and physical coordination into the same activity. These small, concrete experiences matter: learning involves doing as well as listening.

Kiwi uses the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. Its early years design and technology approach connects making things with understanding the world and physical development. Examples include building and balancing constructions, making models from recycled materials, and using tools to practise small hand movements. These are examples of the school’s early years approach, rather than a fixed nursery timetable.

Construction Areas and Funky fingers are named elements of that approach. Tinker Tables introduce real tools and electronics in the summer terms, with exploration and trial and error as the aim. Drawing Club supports early writing across the school’s early years provision. In October 2024, early years children received helpful support with pencil grip and letter formation.

There is a caution alongside those activities. In October 2024, curriculum planning identified learning from early years onwards, but teaching did not consistently put those plans into practice. For parents, the distinction matters: appealing activities need to build knowledge over time.

For additional learning needs, the school uses Assess, Plan, Do, Review: identify the need, agree support, put it into practice and check its impact. Parents contribute to planning and reviews, giving families a role in deciding whether support is helping their child.

Concerns can begin with a message to the class teacher through Dojo, or a telephone appointment. The inclusion team then considers the concern. The school uses Five to Thrive to guide its approach to children’s wellbeing. For physical access, the school has wheelchair access and an accessible toilet, with adjustments for sensory or physical impairments.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal school admissions route; at Kiwi, applications for the main school go through Wiltshire Council. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as separate decisions.

The school’s transition arrangements include time with a new class teacher and extra visits for pupils who need them. These support familiarity with a new class; they do not secure admission.

Nursery enquiries and applications go to the administration team at admin@kiwi.wilts.sch.uk. School tours can also be arranged through that team for a mutually convenient time, giving families an opportunity to meet staff before joining.

The school is on Hubert Hamilton Road, Bulford Camp, Salisbury, SP4 9JY. The office telephone number is 01980 632364.