Christ Church CofE Primary Academy Nursery

Conversation, early reading and learning to manage everyday tasks give this nursery its character. At Christ Church CofE Primary Academy in Fenton, nursery sits within the school's early years provision, with 30 places and full-time attendance only. This is a school nursery with a substantial day, so the attendance pattern matters when deciding whether it suits your child.

For the 2025/26 intake, children could start in September if they were three by 31 August. Ofsted graded early years provision Good at the inspection on 25 and 26 April 2023. That judgement covers the school's early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Adult-guided learning sits alongside activities children choose themselves. The Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum combines these approaches, giving children opportunities both to follow an adult's teaching and to pursue their own interests. Language is a clear thread: the school aims to extend children's vocabulary and help them sustain conversations with adults and other children.

Read Write Inc. is the school's phonics approach. In April 2023, phonics began in Nursery, with activities giving children practice in the first steps of reading. The early years curriculum also identified knowledge children should retain across terms and years. The same inspection required greater clarity about learning sequences in a small number of school subjects; that was a school-wide improvement action.

The physical layout connects classroom and outdoor space. Early years classrooms have doors opening straight onto the playground, and pupil entrances are at ground level. These are useful practical features for movement between spaces and access to the building.

Starting nursery includes a home visit for children joining for the first time. That gives families an opportunity to introduce their child before school begins. New nursery children and parents have also taken part together in a Bookstart session, linking the start of nursery with shared reading.

Everyday independence is part of the school's aims for its youngest children. Adults support learning to use the toilet and feed themselves, alongside sharing and taking turns. These small steps matter across a full day of eating, playing and learning together.

For additional needs, the class teacher is the first contact, supported by the SENCO/Inclusion Leader and Assistant SENCO. Pupil Passports record individual targets and support, with parents involved in reviews at least once each term. This gives families a regular point to discuss progress and the next steps in their child's support.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process, meeting its deadline. September applications go through www.stoke.gov.uk/admissions.

For 2025/26, nursery attendance carried no Reception oversubscription priority: allocation depended on care status, catchment, siblings and distance. Familiarity with school and entitlement to a place are separate matters. Transition between year groups takes place towards the end of summer term, allowing children time to become familiar with another classroom and teacher.

Only full-time nursery places are offered. The school offers 30 hours of nursery education; for 2025/26, those weekly hours were provided without charge. That attendance model gives families a clear starting point for planning childcare.

The 2024/25 daily pattern ran from 8.40am to 3.10pm for early years. Nursery lunch in the dining room was scheduled for 11.30am to 11.55am, with playground time from noon to 12.30pm. These timings describe that academic year's routine.

Contact the school office on 01782 234834 or email office@christchurchfenton.co.uk to enquire about nursery places. The academy is on William Street, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2JG.