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Nursery at Princefield First 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Play and investigation, indoors and outside, shape the nursery experience at Princefield First School in Penkridge. Places are for three-year-olds, with children able to begin in the term after their third birthday. This is the school's own nursery, with an Early Years team handling applications and discussing them with families.
The emphasis is on getting to know each child. Staff work with parents to build learning around individual interests and needs.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the curriculum framework. In everyday terms, the approach here combines exploring through play with planned learning: children investigate in indoor and outdoor areas, while staff use themes to encourage imagination and curiosity. Development Matters also informs the Foundation Stage curriculum, helping staff plan around children's development.
Across early years, children contribute ideas about topics that interest them. Topics typically run for two to three weeks, with Wow days designed to spark engagement. The balance includes learning together as a class, working in pairs or groups, and individual activities. Computing is among the resources children can use. That gives children different ways to participate, rather than relying on one format throughout a session.
Observation shapes what happens next. Early Years staff take photographs and make notes about children's actions, interactions and developing abilities, collecting this evidence through Tapestry. These observations help staff set individual targets and plan support. Nursery baseline assessments take place at the start and end of Nursery.
At the July 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that nursery children were establishing their number understanding through different kinds of exploration, while books supported enthusiasm for reading across early years. Those findings give a concrete picture of the learning foundations: exploring number and developing an interest in books.
Relationships are a strength grounded in the July 2022 findings. Positive connections between adults and children began in nursery and helped early years children become confident and keen to learn. For a child starting a school-based routine, that confidence matters alongside the curriculum.
Staff partnership with parents includes understanding children's individual needs and interests. For special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the school provides support and resources intended to give children equal access to learning and activities. Families can contact the SENDCo through the school office, providing a clear route for discussing support.
Lunch can be added to the nursery timetable. A full-day booking includes staying for lunch, but school dinners are charged separately. Before-school and after-school clubs have a specific care condition: children must be fully toilet trained and settled in the nursery room before attending either.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as two separate decisions.
The nursery aims to develop the skills and confidence children need for full-time schooling. Its play, investigation and planned EYFS learning serve that preparation; they should not be read as an admissions advantage.
Three-hour sessions run from 8:45am to 11:45am or from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. The full-day option runs from 8:45am to 2:45pm and includes the lunch stay. A separate lunchtime session covers 11:45am to 12:30pm, while a late-stay top-up extends the afternoon from 2:45pm to 3:30pm. These distinctions matter when matching a booking to collection time.
The nursery accepts the 15-hour funded entitlement; some working parents may qualify for 30 hours. Paid top-up and lunchtime sessions are also offered. Refer to the school for current charges.
Families can book a nursery visit by calling the school office on 01785 714050. Applications use the Nursery Application Form, followed by contact from the Early Years team to discuss the application.
Children can start in the term after their third birthday. Entry points are at the beginning of the autumn, spring and summer terms.
Morning sessions run from 8:45am to 11:45am and afternoons from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. The full-day option is 8:45am to 2:45pm, including the lunch stay, with a separate late-stay top-up until 3:30pm.
The nursery accepts the 15-hour funded entitlement. Some working parents may qualify for 30 hours, and paid lunchtime and top-up sessions are offered.
Before-school and after-school provision can be discussed with the school. Children must be fully toilet trained and settled within the nursery room to attend either club.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the normal admissions process, by its deadline.
