Alder Grove Church of England Primary School Nursery Review

Owl Class gives Alder Grove’s nursery its own identity within the primary school, with stories, conversation and growing independence shaping the learning. Children normally start in the academic year after turning three. The provision has the equivalent of 78 part-time places, split between attendance patterns of 15 and 30 hours, with a limit of 39 children in either session.

This is nursery provision within a Church of England school. Alder Grove aims to help children from any faith background learn to care for one another, with kindness and perseverance among its values. At the Ofsted inspection on 13 and 14 June 2023, early years provision was graded Good. That judgement covers the school’s early years, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) shapes the curriculum. Here, learning includes practising conversation, understanding instructions, handling materials and becoming more independent. The nursery’s autumn 2025 activities included exploring water, sand, shaving foam and playdough, using tools to develop hand control. Mirrors supported conversations about children themselves, while family information contributed to group discussions.

Jigsaw gives personal and social learning a named structure. Being Me in my World explored belonging; Celebrating Difference introduced discussion about families and resolving disagreements with adult help. These are everyday social skills as well as curriculum topics.

In spring 2026, Once Upon a Time brought traditional tales into play. Children practised retelling stories, remembered recurring phrases and acted out parts during exploration time. Scissor work, running and jumping accompanied that language focus. In June 2023, early reading teaching was effective from the early years, and carefully selected stories encouraged enjoyment of books from Nursery onwards. Books have a clear purpose here: developing language and pleasure together.

Independence includes practical care. Autumn 2025 learning supported children in using the toilet themselves and recognising their feelings. Families were encouraged to practise putting on shoes and coats at home, linking small daily achievements with nursery routines.

For children staying through lunch, the meal takes place in the main hall between 11.30am and 12.30pm, supervised by nursery staff and lunchtime controllers. Families can send a packed lunch or choose a charged hot meal. Under the 30-hour arrangement, lunchtime childcare is included; a selected hot lunch remains an extra.

A Makaton-trained teacher works in Nursery. The school’s SEND support involves class teachers and the SENDCo, with Individual Provision Plans reviewed each term and parents invited to formal reviews three times a year. Specialist referrals require parental permission, and access involves considerable waiting times. Families needing external support should factor those waits into their planning.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Separate applications are required, and nursery attendance gives no priority for September 2027 entry. Families must submit the common application form to their home local authority by 15 January 2027. Choosing Owl Class therefore leaves a separate school-place decision ahead.

Transition support has a different purpose. Children receive a booklet containing photographs of their next classroom and teaching adults. Those with additional needs can have extra classroom visits and individual support where needed. This helps prepare children for change; it does not alter admission priority.

For 2026/27, 15-hour attendance means five mornings, from 8.30am to 11.30am, or five afternoons, from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. A preferred session is not guaranteed. Eligible children allocated 30 hours can attend from 8.30am to 2.30pm, including lunchtime childcare; entitlement must be evidenced before starting and again each term.

An additional charged hour can extend the day. It is booked for a whole term, with changes for the next term requested by email beforehand; otherwise the arrangement continues. Ask the school for current charges. Nursery follows the school’s term and holiday calendar. Breakfast Club and After School Club are run by the school and accept children from age three, giving families another attendance option.

Send nursery enquiries and completed applications to admissions@aldergrove.wokingham.sch.uk. For wraparound enquiries, use wraparoundcare@aldergrove.wokingham.sch.uk.