Long Mountain CofE Primary School Nursery Review

A water tray can become a conversation about floating and sinking at Long Mountain Pre-school. That captures the approach here: children explore through play, while adults join in to extend their thinking and language. The nursery has its own room and outdoor space on the primary school site in Worthen, taking children from age 2 until they start school. There are about 30 pre-school children; that is attendance, rather than a capacity figure.

Ofsted graded early years provision Good at the inspection on 10 and 11 July 2024. This was an early years judgement within the school inspection, rather than a separate nursery rating.

Planning in the moment shapes the learning. Staff respond to children's play and interests, using those opportunities to introduce ideas and develop understanding. Making playdough, for example, brings measuring and capacity into a practical task. Sand and water play give children reasons to compare quantities, sizes and weights. Maths starts with something they can handle.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) covers seven learning areas. Language, physical development and learning to manage feelings and relationships sit alongside literacy, maths, creative expression and understanding the world. For parents, this means learning includes conversation, movement and getting along with others, as well as early reading and number skills.

Books have a clear place in nursery life. Children encounter stories, songs and rhymes, and can return to favourite books repeatedly. Daily poems and stories also prompt discussion of new vocabulary. Staff use Stoke Speaks Out to assess language development, helping them understand the support a child needs.

Outside, the pre-school's large learning area is used in wet weather as well as dry. A November 2022 activity connected growing vegetables outdoors with cooking: children harvested their produce, made vegetable fritters and tasted them. It is a concrete example of learning that links the garden with food, rather than a claim about a daily routine.

In July 2024, staff understood individual children and adjusted early years learning to their needs and interests. Children made good progress from their starting points.

Each child has a key worker who becomes a point of contact for the family and spends additional time with them. Other staff also play with and support the children, so the relationship with one adult sits within the wider team's care.

Settling includes a pre-school visit and shorter taster sessions. Staff discuss how the child is coping with parents and allow for different children needing different amounts of time to become comfortable. The approach gives families a gradual introduction rather than expecting confidence immediately.

Support for special educational needs and disabilities included early years in July 2024: needs were recognised promptly and followed by suitable help. Across the school, the SEND coordinator guides Personal Learning Plans developed with parents and children. Families therefore have a role in planning support.

Food can also be a shared occasion. At the December 2022 Christmas meal, pre-school children ate with Class 1 in its classroom. This describes that celebration, rather than the usual lunch arrangement.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Shropshire Local Authority, following the deadline for their child's admission year. Treat nursery enrolment and the later school application as separate decisions.

Preparation is a different question from allocation. In July 2024, parents spoke positively about children's readiness for Reception. That preparation does not secure a school place.

Pre-school runs Monday to Friday in term time. Doors open at 9am, lunch falls between noon and 1pm, and home time is 3pm. Those hours give families a clear daily collection point.

To enquire, call the school office on 01743 891320. Families can return a form giving their child's details and preferred sessions to the office for the pre-school leaders. A waiting list may apply. Visits can be arranged before a child starts, giving parents an opportunity to see the nursery's room and outdoor area.