Nursery at St. Peter's CE Primary Academy

Play, conversation and practical challenges shape the school's early years approach. At St. Peter's CE Primary Academy on Xanten Way in Salisbury, nursery provision sits within a Church of England primary school. The school's EYFS curriculum emphasises learning through experiences, with children's interests helping to shape activities.

Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 15 and 16 November 2022. That is an early years judgement within the school inspection, rather than a separate nursery rating.

The following describes the school's Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, including Reception. These arrangements should not be assumed to apply to nursery children. Within school EYFS, activities children choose sit alongside teaching directed by adults. In practical terms, children have opportunities to explore through play while staff introduce ideas and guide their next steps. Topics change in response to children's interests, and stories provide starting points for learning. Trips, visitors and real objects bring experiences beyond books into the curriculum.

Language gets attention throughout the day. Songs, storytelling and rhymes sit alongside conversations with adults and other children. Displays indoors and outside give adults vocabulary to introduce during play. Mathematics also appears in ordinary routines: children count fruit at snack time and connect numbers with groups of objects before lunch. These are concrete ways to practise ideas in familiar situations.

Rainbow Challenges let children tackle tasks at their own pace and return to activities with adult guidance. Learning spaces are organised around the EYFS's seven areas, while planned tidying gives children responsibility for their surroundings. The school also uses Growth Mindset, aiming to help children persist when an activity proves difficult.

Outdoor learning has named spaces. The school's EYFS Forest School programme runs weekly, using the Hobbit hut, Forest School area and playing field among its settings. Activities can involve exploring the environment, solving practical problems and working together, giving children different contexts for conversation and discovery.

The communication, SEND and meal arrangements below concern the school; families should confirm which apply to nursery children. Within school EYFS, families receive termly learning overviews, written reports and opportunities for parents' evenings. Window displays show recent learning, providing a starting point for conversations at home. Individual meetings can address a child's needs and support for the family.

Across the school, teachers adapt teaching and use targeted interventions when children need additional help. The SENCo coordinates SEND provision, and parents contribute to assessment and review. This gives families a role in planning support rather than simply receiving updates afterwards.

School lunches are cooked on site in a purpose-built kitchen by Edwards and Ward. Children with allergies or other dietary requirements need a special diet form, so dietary arrangements involve a specific step for parents.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal local authority process and meet the deadline for their child's entry year. Treat that application as a distinct task when planning the move to school.

The school office is the enquiry contact: office@stpeters.dsat.org.uk or 01722 448445. The school is at Xanten Way, Salisbury, SP2 9FL. These contact details provide a direct route for families interested in the provision.