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Nursery at Squirrel Hayes 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Chalk marks, early number work and learning outdoors give Squirrel Hayes nursery its shape: a morning of play and short teaching activities, with room for children to follow their interests. Nursery belongs to Columba, the school's early years grouping, alongside Reception. Children can start in the term following their third birthday.
Building Learning Power begins here, introducing children to persistence, exploration, thinking about their ideas and working with others. These are practical classroom habits: concentrating on an activity, asking questions and listening to another child. The emphasis gives parents a picture of learning that extends beyond recognising letters and numbers.
Adult-led activities usually take between 5 and 10 minutes. Around those short teaching spells, children choose from activities arranged by adults or pursue an interest of their own. Staff observe children during play and use what they notice to plan their next learning steps. That gives individual interests a place in the teaching rather than treating every child as ready for the same task.
The Early Years Foundation Stage connects language, physical development and relationships with literacy, maths, creativity and understanding the world. Block building illustrates how these overlap: children can discuss where pieces belong, compare their size and negotiate a shared construction. Play carries several kinds of learning at once.
An outdoor classroom links to the indoor activities and is prepared each day, weather permitting. Children use both spaces during the day. Outdoor learning therefore forms part of the classroom routine rather than being confined to a separate break.
Early literacy includes drawing, writing names and making marks with pencils, chalk and sand. Short daily flashcard activities introduce phonics through Read Write Inc. Number work starts with quantities and numerals from 0 to 5, including matching, ordering and simple addition; children move to 6 to 10 once those earlier skills are secure.
Columba's spring topic for 2025/2026, Jungle Explorers, planned practical activities around stories: map making using Handa’s Surprise, animal-spotting binoculars and clay houses. Such examples show how a topic can connect making, storytelling and ideas about places.
Settling starts with adults playing and interacting with children, using both child-selected and adult-selected activities to understand their starting points. The school aims to tailor induction and learning to each new child's needs.
Learning Logs provide a personal home-learning book, with activities involving sounds, numbers and discussion. Regular parent consultations and opportunities to speak to the teacher give families further ways to discuss learning. The school describes personalised classroom learning as an entitlement for children with additional needs, with a SENCo coordinating SEND provision.
For food allergies, intolerances or other dietary requirements, families should pass the information to Edwards & Ward, the catering provider. This is a practical part of planning for meal and snack times.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Staffordshire County Council using the normal admissions route and meeting the deadline for their child's entry year. Choosing Columba nursery and applying for school are separate decisions.
The nursery morning runs from 8.45am to 12.00pm. Nursery applications go directly to the school, with entry points in September, January and April. Families can contact the office on 01782973820 or email office@squirrelhayes.staffs.sch.uk; visits can be arranged through the office.
School uniform is required, and clothing should carry the child's name. Gates close at 8.55am, after which families should use the office.
Wraparound location. From 13 April 2026, Space Cadets nursery wraparound moved to Little Rockets in Biddulph, with its team transporting children between the settings by walking bus or car. Families using that care need to account for the off-site arrangement.
Children can join in the term after turning three, with September, January and April entry points. Apply directly to the school.
Columba nursery runs from 8.45am until 12.00pm.
Yes. Children use indoor and outdoor classrooms, with linked outdoor activities prepared daily, weather permitting.
No. A separate application must be made through Staffordshire County Council for Reception.
Space Cadets moved nursery wraparound to Little Rockets in Biddulph from 13 April 2026. Its team transports children to and from Squirrel Hayes by walking bus or car.
