Sheriffhales Primary School and Preschool: Nursery Review

Outdoor learning and practical making give Sheriffhales’ preschool its character. Sheriffhales 6 brings learning outside into the curriculum, while early years activities combine children’s own ideas with tasks led by adults. This is the school’s preschool for children aged 3, with entry from the term following their third birthday.

The preschool sits within the early years provision led by the Senior Teacher and Acorns Class Teacher. At the Ofsted inspection on 17 and 18 June 2025, early years provision received an Outstanding judgement within the school inspection. Children’s preschool start was exceptionally strong, with curiosity, independence and sustained concentration evident across early years. Those findings give parents a meaningful picture of children’s engagement with learning.

Practical exploration is a clear thread through the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Children choose materials to express ideas, plan constructions and learn to handle simple tools safely. Adult direction sits alongside activities initiated by children, giving them opportunities both to follow guidance and to make decisions about their work.

Sheriffhales 6 includes gardening: children learn about growing food, harvesting it and preparing what they have grown. An allotment plot gives each year group its own growing patch. It makes the connection between food and the outdoors tangible. Within the school’s play spaces, younger children have an area for exploration, alongside covered areas and quieter spaces.

Acorns’ activities show what practical early years learning can look like. A fruit-salad project in February 2024 combined designing with practising cutting. In February 2025, a school nurse helped Acorns learn about toothbrushing and the effects of food and drink on teeth. These are concrete tasks with everyday uses, rather than abstract health messages.

The preschool’s lead teacher also holds the SENCO role and is a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead. Learning and additional support therefore share a staff lead. The school aims to identify additional needs promptly and provide targeted help, with support reviewed against individual targets. Parents receive updates about their child’s learning during the year.

Family involvement includes shared activities. In January 2025, Acorns welcomed parents and carers to a wellbeing workshop involving school nurses, fruit kebabs, healthy-lunchbox sorting and a tooth-painting activity. This gave families a practical way to take part in health learning.

School lunch choices include food brought from home, cooked meals and school packed lunches. Children eat in the village hall; in good weather, picnic tables also provide an outdoor option for packed lunches. Lunch supervision involves staff and lunchtime supervisors, with teachers and teaching assistants available too.

A preschool place does not guarantee admission to Reception. Families must make a separate application through their own local authority’s School Admissions service, with a deadline of 15 January in the year their child will start Reception. Choosing the preschool should therefore be a decision about the preschool experience itself.

For children with SEND moving from preschool to the school, transition meetings bring the preschool provider and Reception teachers together. Parents are encouraged to discuss transition concerns with the class teacher or SENCO. This supports the handover of a child’s needs; it does not change the admissions process.

Attendance is term time only, for 15 or 30 hours each week. Preschool collection is at 3.10pm. Care beyond the preschool day. Preschool children cannot use wraparound care, so families need arrangements that fit their attendance pattern.

Contact the school office to arrange a look round: 01952 385530 or admin@sheriffhalesschool.org. Parking. The school car park requires prior permission for use between 8am and 4pm. Blue Badge holders can contact the office for a permit. At busy times, the village traffic route approaches along Church Lane and leaves via The Rock towards Newport Road, which matters when planning collection.