St Swithun's Church of England VC Primary School Nursery

Early reading provides the clearest picture of nursery learning here: children begin phonics when they join the early years. The nursery belongs to St Swithun's Church of England VC Primary School on Ivel Road in Sandy, placing it within a primary school rather than a separate childcare setting.

Learning in the early years sits within the school's planned curriculum. The December 2022 report describes plans identifying the knowledge children should learn, beginning in early years, and arranging learning in a considered order. The practical purpose is to connect new learning with what children already know. For a nursery parent, that makes the starting points important: early learning forms part of a longer sequence, rather than a collection of unrelated activities.

Phonics starts from the beginning of early years education. Ofsted's inspection on 7 and 8 December 2022 found that children were developing reading fluency soon after starting, with books matched to the sounds being taught. That connection gives children opportunities to apply their sound knowledge through reading. Matching books to taught sounds links the reading material with the learning already underway. Children can use what they have practised as they read, rather than treating sound work and books as separate activities.

The early reading findings also describe pupils using their knowledge of sounds to tackle unfamiliar words. For parents considering this nursery, these findings provide a dated picture of the reading approach across the school's early years provision, rather than a separate judgement of nursery teaching.

The December 2022 early reading findings describe staff spotting gaps in pupils' phonics knowledge and providing additional help with reading. Support therefore addressed the sounds pupils needed to practise, with the aim of helping them catch up. The report describes both identifying the gaps and responding with extra support. For families, the useful distinction is that starting phonics early was accompanied by help when pupils needed further practice.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place at St Swithun's. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process and meet the relevant deadline. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as two separate decisions.

The school office is the contact point: telephone 01767 680692 or email schooloffice@stswithuns.cbeds.co.uk. The school address is Ivel Road, Sandy, SG19 1AX.