Oakridge Primary School Nursery Review

Songs, rhymes and carefully chosen books give Oakridge’s nursery its character: language starts early here. This is the nursery within Oakridge Primary School on Silvester Way in Stafford, with a maximum of 24 children per session. Nursery entry is in September, during the academic year in which children turn four; Little Oaks can take children from their third birthday.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 1 and 2 October 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Books provide more than story time. In October 2024, nursery children encountered thoughtfully selected reading material alongside singing and rhymes, giving them repeated opportunities to hear and use language. Vocabulary has a clear place in the learning: adults introduce demanding words rather than keeping conversation simple.

Early years learning builds in small steps, connecting new knowledge with what children already understand. In October 2024, children in early years made exceptional progress, while familiar routines were established quickly. For parents, that combines learning ambition with a day children can learn to understand and follow.

An autumn camp night adds a different kind of experience. Early years children shared evening storytelling beside a campfire and investigated the shifting shadows and light it produced. It gives stories a physical setting and turns an unusual evening into something to observe and discuss.

Settling begins before the September start. Nursery staff make home visits, and children joining Nursery are invited to morning induction sessions towards the summer term’s end. Meeting staff and becoming familiar with school before starting can make the change less abrupt. Parents also have a summer evening induction meeting, with time to discuss concerns and preparation.

For worries about a child’s needs, the class teacher is the first contact. Families can arrange a conversation through the office, and the SEND co-ordinator can be contacted at senco@oakridge.staffs.sch.uk. A weekly school newsletter shares recent happenings and planned events, helping families keep track of school life.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Staffordshire County Council’s online school admissions route; the council allocates those places. Treat this as a fresh application, rather than an automatic continuation of nursery attendance.

For September 2026 entry, the Reception application deadline was 15 January 2026. That cycle has passed. The induction sessions for children joining Nursery and Reception support familiarity with school, but should be understood separately from the allocation of places.

The morning session runs from 8:50am to 11:50am, contributing the 15 government-funded hours. Little Oaks extends care from 11:50am onwards, and the school also offers 30-hour nursery provision. Universal three-year-old funding starts in the term after a child’s third birthday; children starting Little Oaks earlier incur charges unless approved two-year-old funding covers their place. With that funding, children may start in the term they turn three without charge for 15 hours. Contact the school for current charges.

Availability. Both morning and afternoon nursery places have waiting lists. Families needing a particular pattern should factor this into their planning. Children already attending can request additional sessions as the year goes on.

For enquiries, contact office@oakridge.staffs.sch.uk or call 01785 337300. Nursery Open Mornings are planned for spring term 2027 for September 2027 entry, giving prospective families an opportunity to tour the school and meet staff.