Castlechurch Primary School Nursery Review

Three-hour sessions give Castlechurch’s nursery a clear shape: a morning or an afternoon, with a separately charged lunch session for children staying to eat. This is the school’s own nursery on Tennyson Road in Stafford. Children can start funded nursery education in the term following their third birthday. For 2025/2026, its admission number was 48 full time nursery places; that figure belongs to that academic year.

At the November 2023 inspection, Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good. This judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Early writing starts small. Nursery learning includes attempting a child’s name and forming some letters accurately, giving children manageable steps towards putting their ideas on paper. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the curriculum framework used here for those first stages of learning and development. In November 2023, its curriculum planning was coherent, and phonics teaching beginning in early years was effective, helping children develop their knowledge of sounds.

Forest School also forms part of early years activity. In March 2026, an early years Forest School session brought parents, carers and grandparents into the children’s learning. That gives families a way to share an activity with their child, beyond discussing progress at a meeting.

Settling involves the family. Parents are invited to a preparatory meeting, while the SEND coordinator meets incoming families whose children have identified needs, alongside agencies already supporting them. Home visits can also be arranged for children entering early years. In November 2023, children in early years became familiar with routines promptly and settled successfully.

Communication includes Evidence Me, through which parents receive observations of their child’s experiences and progress. For children receiving SEND support, Personal Learning Plan targets are reviewed with families at least termly. This gives parents specific goals to discuss, rather than only a general account of how their child is doing.

Lunch can be a packed meal from home or a hot school meal. Where medical or intimate care support is needed, a Care Plan is developed with parents and the school nursing service and discussed with the staff involved. The class teacher is the first contact for pastoral concerns, with the SEND coordinator supporting discussions about additional needs.

Access needs deserve individual consideration. The school has side ramps and adapted toilets, but the building is only partially accessible to wheelchair users. Families needing step-free access should consider the route their child will use.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal process and meet the deadline for their application year. Staffordshire County Council’s online application route is signposted for school applications. The 2025/2026 Reception oversubscription criteria did not give priority for nursery attendance.

Preparation for a new class is a separate matter. Staff pass information to the next teacher and hold a planning meeting. A classroom visit or a booklet explaining the move can be arranged where it would help the child. Familiarity supports the transition; it does not secure admission.

Morning sessions run from 8.45am to 11.45am; afternoons run from 12.15pm to 3.15pm. Funded places cover 15 or 30 hours, with eligibility applying to the additional funded hours. Lunch sits outside both funded allocations and attracts a separate charge, including when children bring food from home. Additional sessions and lunch charges are paid through Parent Pay. Contact the school for current charges.

For children who do not qualify for the additional 15 funded hours, extra morning or afternoon sessions can be booked for a charge if spaces permit. These bookings must be regular. That condition matters when planning a recurring childcare pattern.

Visits can be arranged directly, and families can also attend open mornings. Nursery enquiries go to 01785 334955 or office.cas@cflptrust.co.uk. Recommended nursery clothing includes a maroon round-neck sweatshirt or cardigan, a white polo shirt and grey trousers or a skirt/pinafore. Children are handed to staff at the start of the day and released directly to their nominated adult at collection.