St John's CofE Primary Academy Nursery

Play, stories and woodland exploration give the early years at St John's their shape. The nursery belongs to St John's CofE Primary Academy on Weston Road in Stafford, within a Church of England school whose values include Kindness, Inclusion and Respect. The school aims to recognise each child as an individual. That aim connects with an early years approach planned around children's interests and development, rather than a single pace for everyone.

First-hand experience and learning through play form the basis of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Staff observe what children are learning, their needs and what interests them, then use those observations to plan activities. For parents, the useful distinction is that play supplies the experiences through which children learn; it is part of the curriculum itself.

Communication and language, physical skills, and personal, social and emotional development are the starting points. Alongside these, children explore mathematics, literacy, creative expression and the world around them. These connected areas give attention to talking, relationships and movement as well as the foundations of reading and number work.

Stories help shape the activities children can choose during EYFS learning. Experiences draw on a selected book and its content, giving children ways to return to its ideas through play. The school sees role play as an opportunity to practise understanding other people and solving problems. Books therefore have a place beyond story time.

Forest School adds a woodland setting to this approach. Children across the EYFS take part during curriculum time throughout the year, with a Forest School specialist leading outdoor learning. Sessions include den building, mud play and team games, alongside activities children initiate themselves. They run in different seasons and weather conditions, except in extreme circumstances. This gives outdoor exploration a recurring place in learning, rather than making it dependent on fine weather.

A nursery manager and teaching assistants form the nursery team. Within the wider school, the special educational needs coordinator provides a contact for families discussing SEND. Staffordshire's local offer and family partnership services provide further routes to advice, helping parents connect school conversations with local support.

Personal safety also forms part of EYFS learning. The NSPCC Pantosaurus programme introduces body privacy, boundaries and telling a trusted adult about worries. Its practical value is a simple message children can use when they need help.

Four trained designated safeguarding leads oversee child protection across the school. Families can contact them at safeguarding@st-johns-stafford.staffs.sch.uk or on 01785 251960, providing a direct route for concerns.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. The local authority allocates Reception places, so choosing the nursery and applying for school are separate decisions.

For nursery enquiries, contact the school office at office@st-johns-stafford.staffs.sch.uk or telephone 01785 251960. The address is Weston Road, Stafford, ST16 3RZ.

The school currently has a two-week half-term in May and June and finishes later in the summer than maintained schools. That calendar difference matters when coordinating family holidays or care for siblings attending other schools.