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Nursery at Stockton Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Books, scooters and giant art projects give Little Acorns its character: a small nursery within Stockton Primary School for children aged 2 to 4. There are 20 places per session, accommodating four two-year-olds and sixteen three-year-olds. Children also make regular trips into the main school’s library, bringing the wider school into their nursery experience.
The May 2026 Ofsted inspection judged the school’s early years provision as Needs attention, while finding that the Nursery Year supported children effectively in preparing for their next educational stage. That distinction matters: the judgement covers early years across the school, rather than being a separate nursery rating.
Play shapes the learning. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum takes practical form through stories, imaginative play and exploration: children handle plants, grow seeds, sort objects and try experiments. Daily storytelling sits alongside role play and small world activities, giving children different ways to explore books and practise language.
Themes change each half term. Sowing and Growing, Traditional Tales and Superheroes are examples of the nursery’s topics, with literature often providing the starting point. Physical skills receive attention too: children practise cutting, making marks and holding pencils, alongside riding scooters. Cooking, yoga and collaborative giant artwork add different kinds of activity to the mix.
Outdoor learning has its own space, with a new nursery outdoor area celebrated in September 2023. Its educational use needs strengthening. In May 2026, the early years outdoor environment contributed too little across the curriculum. Adult conversations and questions often developed children’s language and thinking, but this was uneven. Assessment also needed to guide activities more accurately; tasks sometimes missed children’s developmental stage, causing frustration or loss of interest. Early reading foundations were another concern where phonics teaching was less effective. For parents, how staff choose the next activity for an individual child is an important point to explore on a visit.
A nursery manager and early years practitioners make up the Little Acorns team. The May 2026 early years findings highlight children’s positive connections with staff and their quick adjustment to routines, alongside safe day-to-day care. Those findings offer reassurance about settling into everyday nursery life. The nursery manager also has designated safeguarding lead training.
For additional needs, the school uses adapted classroom teaching and targeted interventions, including language for thinking. Individual learning plans accompany targeted support, with parents involved throughout. SENDSUPPORTED provides specialist assessment and advice, alongside links with speech and language therapists and educational psychologists. These are school arrangements, rather than a promise of a particular intervention for every nursery child.
School lunch choices include sandwiches and jacket potatoes, with fruit offered daily as a pudding alternative. Vegetarian and vegan options are available most days. A lunch-hour add-on is offered for nursery attendance, so lunchtime can form part of the booking arrangement.
Attending Little Acorns does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Treat that application as a separate decision from booking nursery sessions.
Preparation for the move includes getting to know Reception staff before changing classes. Little Acorns also shares a connected curriculum with the next stage. These arrangements support familiarity and continuity; they do not secure admission.
The nursery operates from 9am to 3pm. Morning sessions run from 9am to noon, with afternoon sessions from noon to 3pm; full-day attendance is also offered. Families can choose a session or attendance across the full week.
Statutory Funding and National Childcare Account payments are accepted. Nursery fees can be paid through ParentPay; contact the school for current charges, including the lunch-hour add-on.
Visits can be booked before joining. To enquire or register a child’s details, contact the school office on 01926 812 483 or email stocktonprimary@stowevalley.com. Little Acorns is on School Street, Stockton, Southam, CV47 8JE.
Children aged 2 to 4 attend. The 20 places per session accommodate four two-year-olds and sixteen three-year-olds.
Morning sessions are 9am to noon and afternoons are noon to 3pm. Full-day attendance runs from 9am to 3pm.
Activities include stories, role play, growing plants, mark-making and scooter riding. Children also sometimes cook, do yoga and create giant artwork together.
No. Families need to apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process by the applicable deadline.
Yes. Contact the school office on 01926 812 483 or stocktonprimary@stowevalley.com to arrange a visit.
