Peterbrook Primary School Nursery

Rhymes, books and learning to get along give Peterbrook’s nursery its character. Children can join from the term following their third birthday, with Rabbits forming the nursery class within the school’s Foundation Key Stage. A nursery teacher works alongside PAWS staff supporting the 30 hours provision.

In October 2024, Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating. The clearest strengths were children’s social development and support for language and reading, alongside an important weakness in everyday conversations.

Sharing stories, enjoying rhymes and exploring books introduce children to reading from Nursery onwards. This gives early reading a social starting point: children encounter books through adults sharing them enthusiastically, rather than only through formal instruction.

Personal and social learning also has a clear place in the early years day. In October 2024, children developed independence and cooperation quickly, with planned activities supporting those skills. For a young child, learning to manage themselves and work with others is part of the learning itself.

Language development. In October 2024, adults sometimes missed chances to develop children’s vocabulary during informal exchanges. Some children consequently had less practice with new words and longer talk than they could have had. Effective additional language and reading support was in place, but the quality of everyday conversation remained an area requiring attention.

September 2024 starters were offered home visits before beginning nursery. Their first week began in smaller groups, with sessions gradually lengthening and groups growing until children attended a full three-hour session on Friday. This staged introduction gave children time to become familiar with adults and the setting. First-day handover and collection took place on the front playground.

A June parent information evening explained each child’s group and first-week sessions for that intake. These arrangements describe the September 2024 start, rather than a future induction timetable.

For children learning English as an additional language, class support includes translated materials, visual prompts and vocabulary interventions according to need. Early years assessment uses the EYFS profile. Families with concerns about additional needs can contact the school’s SENDCo through the office, providing a direct route for discussing their child’s support.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their local authority and meet the deadline for their child’s entry year.

For September 2026 entry, the application deadline was 15 January 2026. That cycle is now past. Choosing the nursery and applying for Reception remain separate decisions; a nursery place should never be treated as confirmation of the later school place.

Two nursery patterns start at 8:55am. Children on the 15 hours pattern finish at midday; those on the 30 hours pattern stay until 3pm. The difference matters for collection planning: one covers the morning, while the other continues through the afternoon.

Nursery applications go directly to the school. Contact admissions@peterbrookschool.co.uk or telephone 0121 430 2545. School visits can be arranged by telephone appointment. For current charges, contact the school directly.

The school calendar includes term holidays and INSET days. Families planning childcare around nursery should account for those dates alongside the session finishing time.