Bishops Nympton Primary School Nursery

A Class 1 garden, daily rhymes and topics that can follow children into farming or dinosaurs give this nursery its character. Bishops Nympton’s nursery sits within a purpose-built Early Years unit at the primary school. Its two nursery groups are N1 for ages 2–3 and N2 for ages 3–4, sharing Class 1 with Reception children. Familiar surroundings are part of the offer from the beginning.

At the Ofsted inspection on 24 and 25 June 2025, early years provision was judged Good. That is the school’s early years judgement, rather than a separate nursery rating. Speaking and listening receive close attention from nursery onwards, with adults introducing vocabulary that stretches children’s language.

Play shapes the day. Nursery children have daily adult-led stories, rhyme time and phase 1 phonics activities, then pursue their own ideas with staff alongside them. The classroom and Class 1 garden provide the settings for this exploration. A qualified teacher is present throughout Class 1’s day, supported by Early Years Practitioners, so children’s independent activity sits alongside teaching and observation.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) gives this play a learning purpose. Communication, movement and managing feelings sit alongside early reading, writing and number work; children also investigate their surroundings and express ideas through making and imaginative activity. Whole-class teaching is combined with work in smaller groups and individual support. Staff use observation and conversations to decide children’s next learning steps.

A two-year topic cycle provides a starting point, but children’s interests can redirect it. Farming and dinosaurs have both prompted extended exploration. Outdoor learning uses the school grounds, while village walks, church visits and classroom visitors connect topics with places and people children can recognise.

Practical making adds detail: early years activities include experimenting with card, wood and fabric, joining materials, using scissors safely and explaining a model’s construction. These give children something concrete to investigate and talk about.

Learning challenge. The June 2025 inspection also called for better adaptation of learning and more consistent opportunities to practise writing across the school. These were school-wide improvement points, rather than findings identified specifically with nursery children.

Parents are invited each term to consultations and an open afternoon, where they can discuss progress and look through their child’s learning journey. A November 2022 Class 1 event also included conversations with children’s key persons. These meetings give families a way to connect classroom learning with what they see at home.

For children aged 24–36 months, a written development check covers communication, physical development and personal and social development. It identifies strengths and concerns, with proposed action and involvement from other professionals where appropriate. Families can raise SEND concerns with the class teacher or SENCo; the school also runs parent drop-ins each half term.

Early settling experiences appear in a September 2022 Class 1 account: children explored the classroom, adjusted to routines and made friends. This illustrates the practical business of becoming familiar with the setting.

Lunch is cooked on site each day. The school menu includes a vegetarian choice, with jacket potatoes offered Monday to Thursday, and children can choose a packed lunch instead. This allows families to vary their lunch choice from day to day.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Bishops Nympton follows Devon Local Authority procedures, with school applications handled by the county admissions team.

For children allocated a Reception place here, the transition keeps the Foundation Stage unit and staff familiar while learning expectations increase. That continuity concerns the child’s experience; it does not secure admission.

Term-time opening runs Monday to Friday, 9am–3.30pm, with closure during school holidays and bank holidays. The session pattern comprises mornings from 9am–12pm, lunchtime from 12pm–1pm and afternoons from 1pm–3.30pm. The nursery aims to accommodate flexible session arrangements.

Funding includes the two-year-old scheme and the Early Years Entitlement for three- and four-year-olds, with 30 hours of free childcare offered to eligible families. Contact the school for current nursery charges.

Enquiries can go to bishopsnympton@exmoorlink.org, through the contact form or by telephone on 01769 550387. School visits can be arranged by phone.